Healthcare workers’ protection and psychological safety during the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain

Abstract

Aims: to analyse the relationship between work engagement, sense of coherence, and psychological distress levels in Spanish health professionals who were active during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. Background: Work Engagement and Sense of Coherence can help professionals to cope with work-related psychological distress due to the harsh conditions of the COVID-19 working environment. Methods: cross-sectional observational study of 1459 healthcare professionals. The Utrecht Work Engagement Scale, the Sense of Coherence Scale and Goldberg's General Health Questionnaire were distributed and analyzed with descriptive and multiple linear regression methods. Results: High levels of work engagement, especially in the dedication dimension, of sense of coherence, in particular in the meaningfulness dimension, and psychological distress were obtained. Significant correlations (p<0.001) were identified between all the variables. Conclusions: The results reflect high professional commitment. Improvements in the work environment and team management could promote the well-being, resilience and mental health of health care professionals. Maintaining the psycho-emotional comfort is crucial to cope with work-related psychological distress. Implications for Nursing Management: Sense of coherence and work engagement are positive factors against psychological distress. Preventive measures for professionals should go through the dimensionalization of the problem and the adaptation of practical measures for daily management.