Data Extravaganza Presentation - 7 minutes International Positive Psychology Association 7th IPPA World Congress 2021

Background

First analyses about the consequences of the COVID-19-pandemic show that the psychological risk of healthcare workers is particularly high. As the development of the pandemic and, thus, the demands put on healthcare workers are not yet fully under control, there is an urgent need to look at buffering factors that can protect the psychological health of healthcare workers. However, until now, studies investigating healthcare workers’ pandemic-related stress in combination with protective factors are limited.

Hypotheses/Research Questions

In line with first evidence, we hypothesize pandemic-related increases in perceived stress and emotional exhaustion, and decreases in the frequency of flow experiences, as well as in satisfaction with work, life and wellbeing. As protective factors while dealing with pandemic-related stress we suggest an individuals` sense of humor and perceived appreciation.

Sample Characteristics and Sample Size

Our sample consisted of 174 healthcare workers (161 females, 13 males, M_age= 40.52). 85 participants worked as a nurse and 89 as a geriatric nurse.

Design

We used a cross-sectional design. In June/July 2020 – during the first lockdown in Germany – participants completed an online-survey in which they were asked to rate their psychological states before the pandemic (retrospective) and during the pandemic.

Results

During the pandemic, healthcare workers felt more stressed and emotionally exhausted, had less flow experiences and were less satisfied with their work, life and wellbeing as compared to the time before the pandemic. Sense of humor and perceived appreciation of society and patients buffered some negative effects (e.g. emotional exhaustion) of the pandemic.

Scientific Contribution

Our study contributes to the yet scarce knowledge on healthcare workers’ pandemic-related stress in combination with their resources. Our results confirm undesirable effects of the pandemic situation on psychological states (e.g. stress and wellbeing). Above that, we were able to identify appreciation and humor as protective factors.