Coping in healthcare personnel: certain coping strategies as predictors of anxiety and depression

Background Healthcare personnel exhibit higher levels of anxiety and depression, with differences in the use of coping strategies to manage stressful situations. Aims To assess which coping strategies, sociodemographic factors and job-related variables predict anxiety and/or depression among healthcare professionals. Method A total of 744 participants, including physicians, nurses and nursing assistants were involved in a cross-sectional study. Results The ordinary least squares estimator was used to estimate the parameters. The results identified negative self-focus ( β = 0.42, β = 0.45, p < 0.001), positive reappraisal ( β = −0.20, β = −0.30, p < 0.001) and open emotional expression ( β = 0.12, p < 0.001; β = 0.08, p < 0.01), as coping strategies significantly associated with anxiety and depression. Additionally, seeking social support was related to depressive symptoms ( β = −0.02, p < 0.01), but not of anxiety. Interestingly, avoidant coping was associated with lower levels of both anxiety and depression ( β = −0.14, p < 0.001). The absence of family responsibilities was associated with lower levels of anxiety and depression ( β = −0.11, β = −0.10, p < 0.001). Being male was linked to lower anxiety levels ( β = −0.11, p < 0.001), while being female was associated with greater depressive symptoms ( β = 0.09, p < 0.01). Holding the position of nursing assistant was identified as a variable associated with anxiety and depression ( β = 0.08, p < 0.05; β = 0.06, p < 0.05). Conclusions These results are essential for tailoring interventions aimed at occupational health.