Stress and mental health of COVID-19 survivors and their families after hospital discharge: relationship with perceived healthcare staff empathy

Marta Bassi, Marco Bassi, Claudia Carissoli, Francesca Tonelli, Lucia Trombetta, Marina Magenta, Antonella Delle Fave, Chiara Cogliati

Risultato della ricerca: Contributo in rivistaArticolo in rivistapeer review

Abstract

Several studies attest to the long-term consequences of COVID-19 infection on survivors’ mental illness, especially in terms of high prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) 1–3 months after hospitalization. Aims of the present study were (1) to jointly evaluate PTSD and positive mental health among COVID-19 survivors and family members after hospital discharge, and (2) to investigate the relationship between perceived healthcare staff’s relational empathy during hospitalization and survivors’ post-traumatic stress levels. In this cross-sectional study, 60 survivors (Mage = 60.45; 63.3% men) and 40 family members (Mage = 52.33; 60% women) participated in an online survey 3–7 months after hospital discharge. In addition to providing socio-demographic data, they completed PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 and Mental Health Continuum Short Form. Survivors also completed the Consultation and Relational Empathy measure. Percentages of participants meeting a provisional PTSD and mental health diagnosis (flourishing, moderate, languishing) were calculated. A hierarchical regression analysis was performed on survivors’ data, with perceived staff’s empathy as predictor and post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) as outcome. One-fifth of the participants received a provisional PTSD diagnosis, about half were diagnosed with flourishing or moderate mental health, and only 5% were languishing, with no significant between-group differences. Among survivors, a negative association was detected between perceived healthcare staff’s empathy and PTSS, explaining 10.5% of the model variance over and above demographic and clinical variables. Findings highlighted the coexistence of PTSD and positive mental health among survivors and family members, suggesting the usefulness of assessing both negative and positive dimensions of mental health, in order to promote psycho-social adaptation once returning to everyday life. In addition, the role of compassionate care in clinical practice emerged as a potential means to mitigate severe traumatic reactions among survivors.
Lingua originaleEnglish
pagine (da-a)48-59
Numero di pagine12
RivistaPSYCHOLOGY, HEALTH & MEDICINE
Volume28
DOI
Stato di pubblicazionePubblicato - 2023

Keywords

  • COVID-19
  • COVID-19 survivors
  • patients’ families
  • positive mental health
  • post-traumatic stress disorder
  • relational empathy

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