Are healthcare workers particularly vulnerable to loneliness? The role of social relationships and mental well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic.

ABSTRACT: Loneliness is a major public health issue with renewed prominence due to the COVID-19 pandemic and associated social restrictions. Healthcare workers (HCWs) may be at heightened risk, but research is lacking. We measured the prevalence of loneliness among HCWs during the pandemic in 2020 and examined pre-pandemic predictors and pandemic experiences associated with loneliness. HCWs at a designated COVID-19 hospital in Sydney, Australia completed an online survey examining health and well-being before and during the pandemic and changes to work, family and social experiences. Loneliness had negatively affected the well-being of 129 (39%) respondents (n ​= ​330). Pre-pandemic factors predicting loneliness were younger age (<30years compared to ≥50years), having ever been told you had a mental

SUBMITTER: Stubbs JM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9044694 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature