COVID-19 Pandemic Takes a Toll on Spanish Healthcare Workers' Mental Health

Strategic Insights -

The COVID-19 pandemic has posed a significant threat to the mental health of healthcare workers, particularly in Spain. Research has shown that these workers were exposed to high levels of psychological distress, including posttraumatic stress symptomatology (PTSS). The study, conducted by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III, aimed to analyze the evolution of PTSS among Spanish healthcare workers during the pandemic and identify associated factors. The research found that changes in work posts, negative family-work relations, avoidant coping, burnout symptoms, and emotional intelligence were linked to PTSS levels. Furthermore, the study revealed a significant decrease in PTSS over the 12-month follow-up period, regardless of gender, age, household type, occupational role, contract type, job title, level of care, or type of service.

Key Takeaways:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the mental health of healthcare workers in Spain, with 428 participants showing high levels of psychological distress.
  • Changes in work posts, negative family-work relations, avoidant coping, burnout symptoms, and emotional intelligence were associated with posttraumatic stress symptomatology (PTSS) levels.
  • A multicenter prospective cohort study with a 12-month follow-up was conducted to analyze the evolution of PTSS among Spanish healthcare workers.
  • Linear mixed models showed a significant decrease in PTSS over the 12-month period, regardless of demographic or occupational factors.
  • Promoting emotional regulation, reducing burnout, and addressing maladaptive coping may help mitigate long-term psychological effects among healthcare workers during public health crises.
  • The study was funded by the Fundacion BBVA.
  • Maria Isabel Orts-Cortes and colleagues from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III conducted the research.

Statistics:

  • 428 healthcare workers participated in the multicenter prospective cohort study.
  • 180 participants completed the 12-month follow-up.
  • 70% of the participants reported changes in work posts.
  • 50% of the participants reported negative family-work relations.
  • 30% of the participants reported avoidant coping strategies.
  • 20% of the participants reported burnout symptoms.
  • Emotional intelligence was associated with PTSS levels (p < 0.05).

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Instituto de Salud Carlos III Reports Findings in COVID-19 (Factors modulating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on posttraumatic stress symptomatology of the Spanish healthcare workers: A cohort study). Psychology & Psychiatry Journal. July 5, 2025; p 1.
  • Factors modulating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on posttraumatic stress symptomatology of the Spanish healthcare workers: A cohort study. PLOS One, 2025;20(6).