Mental health risks differentially associated with immunocompromised status among healthcare workers and family members at the pandemic outset

Authors

Andrew J. Smith, The University of Utah
Hannah Wright, The University of Utah
Brandon J. Griffin, Central Arkansas VA Health System
Anandi C. Ehman, University of Mississippi
Kotaro Shoji, Lyda Hill Institute for Human Resilience
Tiffany M. Love, The University of Utah
Ellen Morrow, The University of Utah
Amy Locke, The University of Utah
Megan Call, The University of Utah
Patricia K. Kerig, University of Utah, College of Social and Behavioral Science
Miranda Olff, Amsterdam Neuroscience
Charles C. Benight, Lyda Hill Institute for Human Resilience
Scott A. Langenecker, The University of Utah

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

8-1-2021

Abstract

The mental health of healthcare workers (HCWs) is critical to their long-term well-being and future disaster preparedness. Goal 1 of this study was to identify rates of mental health problems experienced by HCWs. Goal 2 was to test a model of risk stemming from pandemic-related stressors and vulnerability factors. This cross-sectional study included HCWs (N ​= ​2,246 [1,573 clinical providers; 673 non-clinical staff]) in the Rocky Mountain West who voluntarily completed an online survey in April/May 2020. Respondents completed measures for traumatic stress symptoms, depression, anxiety, alcohol use, and sleep. Logistic regressions stratified by professional role (clinical versus non-clinical) were specified to predict clinical screening cutoff (positive/negative) as a function of five pandemic-related stressors (immunocompromised self; immunocompromised household member; care provision to infected patients; clinical management role; positive cases). Results showed that more than half of HCWs surveyed (52.5%) screened positive (above cutoff) for traumatic stress, depression, or anxiety, with ~20% reporting problematic alcohol use, and variable insufficient sleep from ~10% off shift to ~50% on shift. Clinical employees with an immunocompromised household member had increased odds of screening positive for a mental health problem. Non-clinical HCWs who were immunocompromised were at elevated risk for screening positive a mental health problem. Being female, minority status, and younger increased odds for mental health problems. Implications include alleviating a portion of the mental health burden of HCWs involved in response to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic by considering policies to protect immunocompromised HCWs and their families (e.g., vaccine priorities, telework options).

Relational Format

journal article

Recommended Citation

Smith, A. J., Wright, H., Griffin, B. J., Ehman, A. C., Shoji, K., Love, T. M., Morrow, E., Locke, A., Call, M., Kerig, P. K., Olff, M., Benight, C. C., & Langenecker, S. A. (2021). Mental health risks differentially associated with immunocompromised status among healthcare workers and family members at the pandemic outset. Brain, Behavior, & Immunity - Health, 15, 100285. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbih.2021.100285

DOI

10.1016/j.bbih.2021.100285

Accessibility Status

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