Background: This longitudinal, multicenter web-based study explored the trajectories of depressive and anxiety symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic among physicians over two years.
Methods: At four measurement points between 4/2020 and 5/2022 depressive (Patient Health Questionnaire-2, PHQ-2) and anxiety symptoms (Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale-2, GAD-2) among physicians in German hospitals were assessed. Time, gender and age effects were analyzed with linear mixed regression models. Comparisons with norm values for the German population during the COVID-19 pandemic were also performed and frequencies of probable depression and anxiety are reported.
Results: The physicians (N = 340) showed a significant increase of depressive symptoms from T1 (M = 1.35, SD = 1.33) to T4 (M = 1.64, SD = 1.34) (p < .001) and of anxiety symptoms from T1 (M = 1.35, SD = 1.42) to T2 (M = 1.59, SD = 1.43) (p = .024). The main effect of gender was only significant for anxiety symptoms (p = .001): women demonstrated higher scores than men. A significant age class difference was observed only for depressive symptoms: the youngest age group (18-40 years) revealed higher values than the oldest group (> 50 years, p = .003). As compared to the general population, the physicians reported significantly elevated PHQ-2 (T1: M = 1.35, SD = 1.33; T2: M = 1.53, SD = 1.37; T3: M = 1.55, SD = 1.40; T4: M = 1.64, SD = 1.34) and GAD-2 scores (T1: M = 1.35, SD = 1.42; T2: M = 1.59, SD = 1.43; T3: M = 1.61, SD = 1.57; T4: M = 1.49, SD = 1.46) for all measurement points (all p < .001). The frequencies of probable depression (PHQ-2 ≥ 3) and anxiety (GAD-2 ≥ 3) were: 14.1% and 17.0% (T1), 16.5% and 21.9% (T2), 17.8% and 22.6% (T3) and 18.5% and 17.3% (T4), respectively.
Conclusions: Mental distress of physicians in German hospitals has increased in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic with gender and age-related differences. Possible causes should be explored and regular monitoring of mental health and prevention programmes for physicians should be established.
Trial Registration: The study was registered on ClinicalTrials (DRKS-ID: DRKS00021268) on 9.4.2020.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10566070 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s40359-023-01354-5 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Beyond Survival: Unveiling Psychological and Social Adaptation After Visceral Transplantation.
J Clin Nurs
January 2025
Institute of Health and Care Sciences, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Aim: To explore the meaning of adaptation after visceral transplantation in terms of patient experiences, symptoms, self-efficacy, transplant-specific and mental well-being.
Design: A convergent parallel mixed-methods study, consisting of interviews and generic as well as transplant-specific questionnaires. Results were integrated using meta-inference.
The Association Between Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and Depression and Anxiety Symptoms in University Students: The Mediating Role of Lean Mass and the Muscle Strength Index.
Nutrients
January 2025
Health and Social Research Center, Universidad de Castilla La-Mancha, 16071 Cuenca, Spain.
Background/objectives: recent studies have suggested that components typical of the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) are associated with depression and anxiety prevention. In this sense, the main objective of this study was to analyse the associations between adherence to the MedDiet and depression and anxiety symptoms and to examine whether this relationship is mediated by lean mass and the muscle strength index (MSI).
Methods: a cross-sectional study (based on data obtained from the Nuts4Brain-Z study) was conducted from 2023-2024, involving 428 university students, aged 18-30 years, from a Spanish public university.
The Role of Maintaining Nutritional Adequacy Status and Physical Activity in Onco-Nephrology: Not a Myth Anymore, but a Reality.
Nutrients
January 2025
Division of Experimental Oncology, Urological Research Institute (URI), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy.
Physical Activity (PA) provides numerous biological and psychological benefits, especially for cancer patients. PA mitigates treatment side effects, influences hormones, inflammation, adiposity, and immune function, and reduces symptoms of anxiety, depression, and fatigue. This study evaluates the impact of PA on these positive outcomes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPsychoneurological Links Contributing to Body Mass Index and Eating Disorder Severity.
Nutrients
January 2025
Department of Psychobiology and Methodology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Barcelona, Spain.
Background-objectives: Multiple dynamic interacting factors contribute to the presence and progression of eating disorders (ED). Empirical research has provided mixed findings regarding the mechanisms explaining the contribution of body mass index (BMI) to the diverse ED endophenotypes. The present study aims to evaluate the underlying processes (direct and indirect effects) contributing to BMI and ED severity, considering the contribution of multiple neuropsychological constructs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEffect of Model of Neonatal Care on Neurodevelopment at the 18 Month Follow-Up in Moderate and Late Preterm Infants.
J Clin Med
January 2025
Faculty of Nursing and Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta Health Services, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada.
Preterm birth, even for moderate or late preterm infants (MLPIs), is associated with longer-term developmental challenges. Family Integrated Care (FICare) models of care, like Alberta FICare, aim to improve outcomes by integrating parents into neonatal care during hospitalization. This follow-up study examined the association between models of care (Alberta FICare versus standard care) and risk of child developmental delay at 18 months corrected age (CA) and explored the influences of maternal psychosocial distress.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!