Evaluation of the mental health of care home staff in the Covid‐19 era. What price did care home workers pay for standing by their patients?

Background: The characteristics of this pandemic increase the potential psychological impact on care homes workers (CHWs). The aims of this study were to analyse the mental health and health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) of a broad sample of CHWs in Spain and to identify potential factors that have a significant effect on their mental health and HRQoL. Method: This descriptive study comprised 210 CHWs who completed the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7‐item Scale, the Patient Health Questionnaire‐9, the Impact Event Scale‐Revised, the Insomnia Severity Index, and the Health‐related Quality of Life Questionnaire. Sociodemographic and clinical data in relation to COVID‐19 were also recorded. Descriptive statistics, univariable analysis and multivariable linear regression models were applied to identify factors associated with mental health and HRQoL. Results: Of total, 86.19% of participants were female; 86.67% were aged under 55 years; 11% were physicians and 64.19% were nurses or auxiliaries; 77.62% have themselves tested positive for Covid‐19; and 67.94% of CHWs have directly treated patients with Covid‐19. 49.28% had clinical depression; over half (58.57%) had clinical anxiety; 70.95% had clinical stress; and 28.57% had clinical insomnia. Increased use of tranquilizers/sedatives appears to be an explanatory variable of suffering greater anxiety, depression, stress and insomnia, and of having a worse HRQoL amongst our CHWs. Conclusions: Our study confirms that symptomatology of anxiety, depression, stress, insomnia and HRQoL were affected amongst CHWs during the Covid‐19 pandemic. Key points: Despite the enormous burden of distress and potentially traumatic events experienced by care home workers, almost no studies have yet been carried out documenting the prevalence of mental health problems amongst this population group.Symptomatology of anxiety, depression, stress, insomnia and health‐related quality of life were affected amongst care homes workers during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Why do this paper matter?It will be necessary to monitor care homes workers—particularly those most at risk—and our data, together with other current studies, can help to establish screening, support and treatment strategies for improving their mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]