Health Risk Factors among Doctors, Psychologists and Nurses of Pakistan during COVID-19 Pandemic

The present study aimed to find out differences in health risk factors of COVID-19 among doctors, nurses and psychologists by determining the relationship of cognitive appraisal, coping styles, stress and fear among health professionals. Cross-sectional research design was used. Sample comprised of 3 groups; doctors, nurses and psychologists (n = 145 in each group) working in tertiary care hospitals. Stress appraisal measure, Brief COPE inventory, Perceived stress scale and Fear contracting COVID-19 questionnaire were used to assess cognitive appraisal, coping, stress and fear respectively. Results showed that nurses had high uncontrollable, stressfulness and primary appraisal, used more avoidant emotional and problem focused coping, were more stressed and fearful as compared to doctors and psychologists. Psychologists had a high appraisal of control-self and control-others as compared to doctors and nurses and were more fearful than doctors. Doctors and psychologists used more coping of humor as compared to nurses. Moreover, primary appraisal and avoidant emotional coping positively predicted stress whereas control-self appraisal negatively predicted stress among health professionals. Uncontrollable and stressfulness appraisal positively correlated with fear. This study will direct the administrative authorities to take effective measures to improve psychological wellbeing and to deal with fear and stress of health professionals.