Abstract

NUNES, Romina  and  RAMOS, Catarina. Posttraumatic growth after COVID-19: intervention program for healthcare workers. Psic., Saúde & Doenças [online]. 2024, vol.25, n.1, pp.150-161.  Epub Mar 31, 2024. ISSN 1645-0086.  https://doi.org/10.15309/24psd250114.

The psychological impact resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic continues to be investigated. Healthcare professionals (HCWs) face an increased risk of developing psychopathology (e.g., anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, and burnout) due to being confronted with highly challenging and potentially traumatic situations. The present study aims to evaluate the effects of GrowthCare (GWCA - a group psychological intervention program), to facilitate posttraumatic growth (PTG). The GWCA has 7 weekly 60-minute sessions and aims to reduce psychological suffering and promote the mental health of HCWs. The psychotherapeutic group (n = 9) is mixed (i.e., doctors, nurses, technical assistants) and was evaluated in 2 moments: initial (T0) and final (T1), using the EADS-21, PCL-V, ICPT-21, MBI-HSS and 23-QVS instruments. The results suggest that there are statistically significant differences between T0 and T1 PTG (Z = 41, p = .028) and in depression symptoms (Z = 2.5, p = .047), and after intervention participants report more PTG ([T0; M = 48.89; SD = 17,64]; [T1; M = 63.11, SD = 19.02]) and less depression ([T0; M = 3.56, SD = 4.10]; [T1; M = 2.44, SD = 3.71]). In conclusion, the GWCA was effective facilitating PTG and reducing depressive symptoms.

Keywords : Group intervention; Healthcare workers; Posttraumatic growth.

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