Post-COVID-19 Epidemic: Allostatic Load among Medical and Nonmedical Workers in China
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Mao Peng1, Li Wang1, Qing Xue1
1Division of Neuropsychiatry and Psychosomatics, Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
Insights
Medical and nonmedical workers experienced similar allostatic load post-COVID-19. Psychological distress and abnormal illness behavior increased allostatic load, while social support mitigated it.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Psychology
- Occupational Health
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic has raised concerns about the allostatic load experienced by medical workers.
- Understanding the impact of the pandemic on the health of both medical and nonmedical workers is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the allostatic load between medical and nonmedical workers during the reopening phase after the COVID-19 epidemic.
- To identify factors associated with allostatic load in a general population sample.
Main Methods:
- An online survey was conducted with 3,590 participants in China.
- Data collected included socio-demographics, allostatic load, stress, abnormal illness behavior, global well-being, mental status, and social support.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in allostatic load was found between medical and nonmedical workers.
- Anxiety, depression, somatization, hostility, and abnormal illness behavior were positively associated with allostatic load.
- Social support (objective, subjective, and utilization) and global well-being were negatively associated with allostatic load.
Conclusions:
- Allostatic load levels were comparable between medical and nonmedical workers in the post-COVID-19 period.
- Psychological distress and abnormal illness behavior are identified as risk factors for increased allostatic load.
- Social support plays a protective role, potentially alleviating allostatic load.
Background:
As the fight against the COVID-19 epidemic continues, medical workers may have allostatic load.
Objective:
During the reopening of society, medical and nonmedical workers were compared in terms of allostatic load.
Methods:
An online study was performed; 3,590 Chinese subjects were analyzed. Socio-demographic variables, allostatic load, stress, abnormal illness behavior, global well-being, mental status, and social support were assessed.
Results:
There was no difference in allostatic load in medical workers compared to nonmedical workers (15.8 vs. 17.8%; p = 0.22). Multivariate conditional logistic regression revealed that anxiety (OR = 1.24; 95% CI 1.18-1.31; p < 0.01), depression (OR = 1.23; 95% CI 1.17-1.29; p < 0.01), somatization (OR = 1.20; 95% CI 1.14-1.25; p < 0.01), hostility (OR = 1.24; 95% CI 1.18-1.30; p < 0.01), and abnormal illness behavior (OR = 1.49; 95% CI 1.34-1.66; p < 0.01) were positively associated with allostatic load, while objective support (OR = 0.84; 95% CI 0.78-0.89; p < 0.01), subjective support (OR = 0.84; 95% CI 0.80-0.88; p < 0.01), utilization of support (OR = 0.80; 95% CI 0.72-0.88; p < 0.01), social support (OR = 0.90; 95% CI 0.87-0.93; p < 0.01), and global well-being (OR = 0.30; 95% CI 0.22-0.41; p < 0.01) were negatively associated.
Conclusions:
In the post-COVID-19 epidemic time, medical and nonmedical workers had similar allostatic load. Psychological distress and abnormal illness behavior were risk factors for it, while social support could relieve it.
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