Evolution of burnout and psychological distress in healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: a 1-year observational study.

BACKGROUND: Long-term psychological impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare workers remain unknown. We aimed to determine the one-year progression of burnout and mental health since pandemic onset, and verify if protective factors against psychological distress at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic (Cyr et al. in Front Psychiatry; 2021) remained associated when assessed several months later. METHODS: We used validated questionnaires (Maslach Burnout Inventory, Hospital Anxiety and Depression and posttraumatic stress disorder [PTSD] Checklist for DSM-5 scales) to assess burnout and psychological distress in 410 healthcare workers from Quebec, Canada, at three and 12 months after pandemic onset. We then performed multivariable regression analyses to identify protective factors of burnout and mental health at 12 months. As the equivalent regression analyses at three months post-pandemic onset had already been conducted in the previous paper, we could compare the protective factors at both time points. RESULTS: Prevalence of burnout and anxiety were similar at three and 12 months (52% vs. 51%, p = 0.66; 23% vs. 23%, p = 0.91), while PTSD (23% vs. 11%, p < 0.0001) and depression (11% vs. 6%, p = 0.001) decreased significantly over time. Higher resilience was associated with a lower probability of all outcomes at both time points. Perceived organizational support remained significantly associated with a reduced risk of burnout at 12 months. Social support emerged as a protective factor against burnout at 12 months and persisted over time for studied PTSD, anxiety, and depression. CONCLUSIONS: Healthcare workers' occupational and mental health stabilized or improved between three and 12 months after the pandemic onset. The predominant protective factors against burnout remained resilience and perceived organizational support. For PTSD, anxiety and depression, resilience and social support were important factors over time.

The Relationship Between Perceived Parenting Practices and Anxiety in Adults With Congenital Heart Disease.

BACKGROUND: Patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) and their parents face challenges throughout their lives that can lead to anxiety lasting into adulthood. We aim to assess the association between perceived parenting practices and anxiety beyond paediatric medical-surgical histories in adults with CHD. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of adults with CHD was conducted at the Montréal Heart Institute (MHI). Perception of parental practices during childhood was retrospectively assessed with the use of validated self-report questionnaires, and anxiety in adulthood was assessed with the use of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Sociodemographic and medical information were collected from a questionnaire and medical records. Hierarchic multiple linear regression was conducted. RESULTS: Of the 223 participants, the mean age was 46 ± 14 years and 59% were female. Perceived parenting practices explained more variance (11%) in the anxiety score than paediatric medical-surgical history (2%). In our final model, anxiety was significantly associated with age, parental history of anxiety, and positive parenting practices, but not with overprotection. CONCLUSIONS: Parenting practices are associated with anxiety in adults with CHD beyond paediatric medical-surgical history and sociodemographic. Positive parenting practices may be protective against anxiety in adulthood. Longitudinal studies are needed to determine causality.

The Influence of Illness Perception and Coping on Anxiety in Adults With Congenital Heart Disease.

Background: Up to one-half of adults with congenital heart disease (CHD) experience psychological distress, including anxiety. Objectives: This paper sought to: 1) assess the contribution of illness perception in explaining anxiety symptoms beyond sociodemographic and medical variables in adults with CHD; and 2) investigate the potential mediating effect of coping style. Methods: CHD adult patients were recruited at Montreal Heart Institute between June 2019 and April 2021 for this cross-sectional study. Participants responded to self-reported questionnaires (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire, and Brief COPE). Medical characteristics (CHD complexity, NYHA functional class, and cardiac devices) were collected from medical records. We conducted hierarchical multiple linear regression and mediation analyses. Results: Of the 223 participants (mean age 46 ± 14 years, 59% women), 15% had clinically significant anxiety symptoms. Medical and sociodemographic variables explained 15% of the variation in anxiety symptoms. Adding illness perception explained an additional 18% of the variation in anxiety. This R2 change was significant (F[1,188] = 49.06, P < 0.0001). Illness perception explained more variance (18%) than medical and sociodemographic variables combined. A more threatening perception of illness was associated with greater anxiety symptoms (ß = 0.45, P < 0.0001). Furthermore, illness perception was associated with coping, which was linked to reduced anxiety symptoms. Coping response style accounted for 20% of the total effect of illness perception on anxiety. Conclusions: Illness perception and coping are associated with anxiety in adults with CHD. Future initiatives should assess whether targeting these potentially modifiable factors effectively prevents or mitigates anxious symptoms in adults with CHD.