1. International survey of audiologists during the COVID-19 pandemic: effects on mental well-being of audiologists.
- Author
-
Bennett, Rebecca J., Manchaiah, Vinay, Eikelboom, Robert H., Badcock, Johanna C., and Swanapoel, De Wet
- Subjects
ANXIETY diagnosis ,DIAGNOSIS of mental depression ,MENTAL depression risk factors ,WELL-being ,WORK environment ,SOCIAL support ,HEALTH services accessibility ,SELF-evaluation ,AGE distribution ,CROSS-sectional method ,POPULATION geography ,WORLD health ,MEDICAL personnel ,RISK assessment ,SEX distribution ,JOB security ,LONELINESS ,EMPLOYMENT ,QUESTIONNAIRES ,DISEASE prevalence ,DESCRIPTIVE statistics ,PSYCHOSOCIAL factors ,CHI-squared test ,INDUSTRIAL hygiene ,AUDIOLOGISTS ,ANXIETY ,OCCUPATIONAL health services ,DATA analysis software ,POPULATION health ,COVID-19 pandemic ,TELEMEDICINE ,MENTAL health services ,PSYCHOLOGICAL distress - Abstract
The aim of the study was to examine the mental well-being of audiologists in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, between 23 June and 13 August 2020. A self-report survey included screening measures for psychological distress (PHQ-4: anxiety and depression) and loneliness (UCLA-3). 239 audiologists from around the world. The prevalence of psychological distress was 12.1% (subscales for anxiety 16.3% and depression 10.4%), and loneliness 32.2%. Depression and loneliness were higher in those participants self-reporting perceived job insecurity, with psychological distress (anxiety and depression) higher in those from South Africa. Accessibility to Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) appears to be a protective factor. Well-being interventions, such as EAPS, are needed to support audiologists during challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF