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Increase in Trauma Leading to Psychological Injury Among Canadian Homelessness Services Workers During the COVID-19
Jeannette Waegemakers Schiff1, Eric Weissman, Rebecca Schiff
1From the University of Calgary, Faculty of Social Work, Calgary, Canada (J.W.S.); Department of Sociology, University of New Brunswick, Saint John, Canada (E.W.); Department of Health Sciences, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Canada (R.S.); University of Calgary, Faculty of Social Work, Calgary, Canada (J.L.); and University of Calgary, Faculty of Social Work, Calgary, AB, Canada (T.P.); and Fred Victor, Toronto, Canada (A.J.).
Objectives:
This study examined the traumatic psychological impact of the pandemic on frontline workers in homelessness services.
Methods:
Staff from homelessness serving organizations completed pre- and mid-COVID pandemic surveys measuring traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), burnout, and job-related traumatic experiences. The mid-pandemic survey was expanded to seven Canadian cities to determine prevalence of workplace PTSS nationally.
Results:
In the comparison group, baseline rates of PTSS (41%) rose to 47.3% ( n = 164), while 75% reported low-moderate levels of burnout both times. Nationwide, PYSS was 51% ( n = 574). Case managers working at remotely had greater levels of PTSS.
Conclusions:
COVID-19 exacerbated risk of psychological workplace injury from traumatic stress; however, burnout did not increase significantly, indicating the primary dynamic as anxiety and emotional exhaustion associated with ubiquitous trauma induced by COVID-19. Working remotely increased the hazards of psychological workplace injury.
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