Psychological Distress and Well-being of Healthcare Workers Amid Covid-19 Pandemic: the Moderating Role Of Coping Mechanisms

Abstract

Healthcare workers are amongst the high-risk group to acquire COVID-19 infection (Minder & Peltier, 2020). Therefore, they are vulnerable to complex emotional reactions and psychological distress (Bai, Yao, Wei, Tian, Jin, Chen & Wang, 2020). Using a positivist paradigm, the study examined the level of psychological distress and psychological well-being of healthcare workers amid the pandemic and the role of coping mechanisms as a moderator. A sample of 115 respondents was recruited for the study. The Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, Ryff's Scale of Psychological Well-being, and Brief-COPE were administered to participants in this descriptive survey. Data was analysed using frequencies and percentages, multivariate regression, independent samples t-test, Pearson product moment correlation coefficient and Hayes PROCCESS Approach. The study found that close to half of the respondents experienced psychological distress. Result also showed that healthcare workers had good psychological well-being amid the pandemic. Further analysis revealed no significant gender variation. The study concludes that some healthcare workers experienced psychological distress and that problem-focused coping is a good moderator. In view of this, it was recommended that Nkwanta South Municipal Health Directorate put in place mechanisms to address psychological issues confronting healthcare workers in the municipality. Besides, the study recommends that clinical health psychologists should educate their clients on various problem-focused coping strategies for appropriate usage.