RT Journal Article
T1 Association between perceived discrimination and mental health outcomes among health workers during the initial COVID-19 outbreak.
A1 Mediavilla, Roberto
A1 Fernández-Jiménez, Eduardo
A1 Andreo, Jorge
A1 Morán-Sánchez, Inés
A1 Muñoz-Sanjosé, Ainoa
A1 Moreno-Küstner, Berta
A1 Mascayano, Franco
A1 Ayuso-Mateos, José Luis
A1 Bravo-Ortiz, María-Fe
A1 Martínez-Alés, Gonzalo
A1 COVID 19 HEalth caRe wOrkErS Spain HEROESSPA Working Group, 
K1 COVID-19
K1 Discriminación
K1 Discrimination
K1 Estigma
K1 Healthcare workers
K1 Mental health
K1 Salud mental
K1 Stigma
K1 Trabajadores sanitarios
AB During the initial COVID-19 outbreak, health systems faced unprecedented organizational stress. Meanwhile, reports of episodes of discrimination and violence towards healthcare workers increased globally. This study explores the association between perceived discrimination and mental health outcomes in a large sample of healthcare workers in Spain. Healthcare workers from inpatient and outpatient facilities (N=2,053) filled an on-line questionnaire in May or June 2020. Mental health outcomes included depression symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire [PHQ-9]), psychological distress (General Health Questionnaire [GHQ-12]) and death thoughts (Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale [C-SSRS]). We also measured perceived discrimination and/or stigmatization due to being a healthcare worker since pandemic onset. Regression models adjusted for potential confounding sources (age, sex, history of a mental health diagnosis and type of job) were fitted. Thirty percent of the respondents reported discrimination and/or stigmatization. Perceived discrimination was associated with higher depression (B=2.4, 95 percent CI: 1.8, 2.9) and psychological distress (B=1.1, 95 percent CI: 0.7, 1.4) scores, and with a 2-fold increase in risk of reporting death thoughts (OR=2.0, 95 percent CI: 1.4, 3.1). Perceived discrimination is a modifiable driver of mental health problems among healthcare workers. Mass media, legislators, and healthcare institutions must put in place prevention and restoration strategies to limit discrimination towards healthcare workers and reduce its mental health impact.
YR 2021
FD 2021-06-18
LK https://hdl.handle.net/10668/28003
UL https://hdl.handle.net/10668/28003
LA en
LA es
DS RISalud
RD Apr 17, 2025