COVID-19: PTSD symptoms in Greek health care professionals.

Abstract

<b><i>Objective:</i></b> The objective of this study was to assess the emergence of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) in Greek health care professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic. <b><i>Method:</i></b> A cross-sectional study was conducted via an online survey from April 10 until April 13, 2020. The survey included sociodemographic questions and the following psychometric tools: the Peritraumatic Distress Inventory, the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder-8 questionnaire, the Brief Patient Health Questionnaire Depression scale, the Athens Insomnia Scale, and 3 questions about negative perceptions of COVID-19. The survey was distributed through social media and comprises part of a larger survey targeting the general population. Altogether, 270 health care professionals responded to the survey. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Health care professionals appeared to be moderately stressed from the COVID-19 crisis, with women scoring higher on all clinical scales and the difference between women and men being statistically significant. Criteria for a probable posttraumatic stress disorder diagnosis were met by a total of 16.7% (21.7% of women; 5.1% of men). Negative emotion and threatened or physical tension are positive significant predictors of PTSS. Those suffering with higher levels of PTSS scored positively for insomnia and exhibited significantly higher peritraumatic distress. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Health care professionals could benefit by being screened for PTSS and insomnia. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).