The association between experience of COVID-19-related discrimination and psychological distress among healthcare workers for six national medical research centers in Japan.
COVID-19
Discrimination
Healthcare workers
Mental health
Psychological distress
Journal
Social psychiatry and psychiatric epidemiology
ISSN: 1433-9285
Titre abrégé: Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol
Pays: Germany
ID NLM: 8804358
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
Sep 2023
Sep 2023
Historique:
received:
09
08
2022
accepted:
08
03
2023
medline:
14
8
2023
pubmed:
18
3
2023
entrez:
17
3
2023
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Discrimination is an important determinant of negative mental health outcomes. This study determined the association between the experience of COVID-19-related discrimination and psychological distress among healthcare workers (HCWs) in Japan. This cross-sectional study conducted a health survey among 5703 HCWs of six national medical and research centers in Japan from October 2020 to March 2021. COVID-19-related discrimination was defined either when participants or their family members were badmouthed or when they felt discriminated against in some way. We used the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6) to assess the presence of severe psychological distress (≥ 13 points). We used logistic regression models to examine the association between discrimination and psychological distress. We also identified factors associated with discrimination. Of the participants, 484 (8.4%) reported COVID-19-related discrimination and 486 (8.5%) had severe psychological distress. HCWs who were female vs. male (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.41, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.28-1.55), had high vs. low viral exposure (AOR = 2.31, 95% CI = 1.81-2.93), and worked for 11 or more hours/day vs. 8 or less hours/day (AOR = 1.42, 95% CI = 1.35-1.49) were more likely to have experienced COVID-19-related discrimination. The AOR (95% CI) of severe psychological distress was 1.83 (1.29-2.59) among those who experienced discrimination. In the stratified analysis by sociodemographic and job-related factors, all the interactions did not reach statistical significance (p for interaction > 0.20). Experience of COVID-19-related discrimination was associated with severe psychological distress among HCWs. During the pandemic, effective measures should be taken to prevent the development of negative mental health outcomes in HCWs who experience discrimination.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
Discrimination is an important determinant of negative mental health outcomes. This study determined the association between the experience of COVID-19-related discrimination and psychological distress among healthcare workers (HCWs) in Japan.
METHODS
METHODS
This cross-sectional study conducted a health survey among 5703 HCWs of six national medical and research centers in Japan from October 2020 to March 2021. COVID-19-related discrimination was defined either when participants or their family members were badmouthed or when they felt discriminated against in some way. We used the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6) to assess the presence of severe psychological distress (≥ 13 points). We used logistic regression models to examine the association between discrimination and psychological distress. We also identified factors associated with discrimination.
RESULTS
RESULTS
Of the participants, 484 (8.4%) reported COVID-19-related discrimination and 486 (8.5%) had severe psychological distress. HCWs who were female vs. male (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.41, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.28-1.55), had high vs. low viral exposure (AOR = 2.31, 95% CI = 1.81-2.93), and worked for 11 or more hours/day vs. 8 or less hours/day (AOR = 1.42, 95% CI = 1.35-1.49) were more likely to have experienced COVID-19-related discrimination. The AOR (95% CI) of severe psychological distress was 1.83 (1.29-2.59) among those who experienced discrimination. In the stratified analysis by sociodemographic and job-related factors, all the interactions did not reach statistical significance (p for interaction > 0.20).
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSIONS
Experience of COVID-19-related discrimination was associated with severe psychological distress among HCWs. During the pandemic, effective measures should be taken to prevent the development of negative mental health outcomes in HCWs who experience discrimination.
Identifiants
pubmed: 36928546
doi: 10.1007/s00127-023-02460-w
pii: 10.1007/s00127-023-02460-w
pmc: PMC10020069
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
1421-1429Subventions
Organisme : Japan Health Research Promotion Bureau Research Fund
ID : 2020-B-09
Organisme : NCGM COVID-19 Gift Fund
ID : 19K059
Informations de copyright
© 2023. The Author(s).
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