The association between experience of COVID-19-related discrimination and psychological distress among healthcare workers for six national medical research centers in Japan.

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  • Additional Information
    • Source:
      Publisher: Springer International Country of Publication: Germany NLM ID: 8804358 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1433-9285 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 09337954 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol Subsets: MEDLINE
    • Publication Information:
      Original Publication: [Berlin] : Springer International, [c1988-
    • Subject Terms:
      COVID-19*/epidemiology ; Biomedical Research* ; Psychological Distress*; Humans ; Male ; Female ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Japan/epidemiology ; Health Personnel/psychology ; Health Surveys
    • Abstract:
      Background: Discrimination is an important determinant of negative mental health outcomes. This study determined the association between the experience of COVID-19-related discrimination and psychological distress among healthcare workers (HCWs) in Japan.
      Methods: This cross-sectional study conducted a health survey among 5703 HCWs of six national medical and research centers in Japan from October 2020 to March 2021. COVID-19-related discrimination was defined either when participants or their family members were badmouthed or when they felt discriminated against in some way. We used the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6) to assess the presence of severe psychological distress (≥ 13 points). We used logistic regression models to examine the association between discrimination and psychological distress. We also identified factors associated with discrimination.
      Results: Of the participants, 484 (8.4%) reported COVID-19-related discrimination and 486 (8.5%) had severe psychological distress. HCWs who were female vs. male (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.41, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.28-1.55), had high vs. low viral exposure (AOR = 2.31, 95% CI = 1.81-2.93), and worked for 11 or more hours/day vs. 8 or less hours/day (AOR = 1.42, 95% CI = 1.35-1.49) were more likely to have experienced COVID-19-related discrimination. The AOR (95% CI) of severe psychological distress was 1.83 (1.29-2.59) among those who experienced discrimination. In the stratified analysis by sociodemographic and job-related factors, all the interactions did not reach statistical significance (p for interaction > 0.20).
      Conclusion: Experience of COVID-19-related discrimination was associated with severe psychological distress among HCWs. During the pandemic, effective measures should be taken to prevent the development of negative mental health outcomes in HCWs who experience discrimination.
      (© 2023. The Author(s).)
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    • Grant Information:
      2020-B-09 Japan Health Research Promotion Bureau Research Fund; 19K059 NCGM COVID-19 Gift Fund
    • Contributed Indexing:
      Keywords: COVID-19; Discrimination; Healthcare workers; Mental health; Psychological distress
    • Publication Date:
      Date Created: 20230317 Date Completed: 20230814 Latest Revision: 20230815
    • Publication Date:
      20231215
    • Accession Number:
      PMC10020069
    • Accession Number:
      10.1007/s00127-023-02460-w
    • Accession Number:
      36928546