Determinants of anxiety and depression and their association with coping strategies in health professionals in war and conflict-afflicted areas

TL;DR

This study finds high rates of anxiety and depression among Palestinian health professionals during war and identifies coping strategies that increase or reduce these risks.

Contribution

The study provides new insights into mental health and coping strategies among health professionals in war-torn Palestine.

Findings

Anxiety and depression prevalence was 51.5% and 45.3% among health professionals.

Coping strategies like emotional support and acceptance reduced depression and anxiety risks.

Strategies like denial and venting increased the likelihood of depression and anxiety.

Abstract

little is known about the impact of conflict or war on Palestinian mental health professionals, as well as their strategies for dealing with these problems. Given the continuous war in Palestine, the purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and coping strategies among healthcare professionals.

The study utilized a cross-sectional research design. Self-reported questionnaires included the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Brief COPE scale was used. The relationships between the study’s variables were examined using descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages), Pearson correlation, and multivariate regression.

A total of 713 health professionals were recruited. Anxiety and depression had a prevalence of 51.5% and 45.3%, respectively. The multivariate analysis revealed that those who utilized self-distraction, active coping, substance use, emotional support, and acceptance as coping strategies were less likely to suffer depression. Also, participants who employed denial, venting, and planning as coping strategies were more likely to develop depression. In addition, males were less likely to experience anxiety than females, and those who utilized emotional support and acceptance as coping mechanisms were less likely to feel anxious. However, participants who utilized denial, behavioral disengagement, venting, and planning were more likely to experience anxiety.

The findings revealed a high prevalence of depression and anxiety among health professionals during wartime and political violence. As a result, health professionals need assistance in enhancing their mental well-being through psychological support, psychotherapy, and comprehensive training in stressor management.

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