Open Access
ARTICLE
Stressors and Coping Strategies of Medical Staff in the COVID-19 Pandemic in Wuhan
Long Liu1,2, Yanlin Shi1,*, Xiyan Fei3, Zhenzhen Wang1,4, Zhi Wang1,5, Li Li6, Lin Ding6, Qiaoyuan Yan7,*
1
College of Health Science and Nursing, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan, 430026, China
2
Wuhan Red Cross Hospital, Wuhan, 430021, China
3
Optics Valley Hospital, District of Wuhan Third Hospital, Wuhan, 430070, China
4
Hubei Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, 430068, China
5
Wuhan Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Wuhan, 430001, China
6
The Central Hospital of Wuhan, Wuhan, 430004, China
7
Nursing Department of Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan,
430022, China
* Corresponding Authors: Yanlin Shi. Email: ; Qiaoyuan Yan. Email:
International Journal of Mental Health Promotion 2021, 23(3), 319-330. https://doi.org/10.32604/IJMHP.2021.015699
Received 07 January 2021; Accepted 11 April 2021; Issue published 23 July 2021
Abstract
Exploring whether medical staff perceive stress on the assigned medical tasks, what are the specific sources of
stress, what are the tangible sources of support they expected to be helpful, and individual coping with stress
to provide more accurate, personal support for psychological crisis. This study uses a cross-sectional descriptive
survey adopting convenience sampling among the medical staff who worked for over seven days in the infected
areas of one Grade 2A and three Grade 3A hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic. The assessment includes
attitude when receiving tasks, major stressors, factors relieving stress, and personal management of stress. A total
of 104 (76.8%) valid questionnaires are received. A majority (94.3%) of the medical staff held a positive attitude
taking duty for granted but feeling nervous and afraid (81.1%). Contacting the infected (90.6%) and compensation
(92.5%) are the main concerns. The major pressure sources are regarding safety for oneself (98.1%), colleagues
(92.5%), and family (94.3%), as well as lack of effective treatment (92.5%), inadequate protective equipment
(94.3%) and incomplete disinfection (94.3%). The main positive pressure adjustments include strict infection controlling measures (98.4%), maintaining a positive attitude (95.2%), actively attain more information 95.2%, and
engage in recreational activities (93.6%), but more than 40% takes negative adjustments to vent their emotions
and relieve anxiety, suggesting the importance of early psychological intervention. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the main stressors among medical staff are safety, uncertainty and shortage of resources. Positive coping
includes taking effective protective measures and achieving thorough understanding of the virus.
Keywords
Cite This Article
Liu, L., Shi, Y., Fei, X., Wang, Z., Wang, Z. et al. (2021). Stressors and Coping Strategies of Medical Staff in the COVID-19 Pandemic in Wuhan.
International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, 23(3), 319–330. https://doi.org/10.32604/IJMHP.2021.015699