The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on paramedics’ mental health in Greece

INTRODUCTION: Converging evidence substantiates a negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of frontline workers. Nonetheless, there is paucity of research on paramedics. OBJECTIVES: To estimate the prevalence of stress, anxiety and depression in frontline paramedics in the Athens region, Greece, and to investigate the coping skills that are associated with less favourable mental health outcomes METHODS: A total of 100 ambulance paramedics participated in the study. The online questionnaire encompassed the DASS-21 for assessing mental health outcomes and the Brief-COPE for measuring coping skills. Information about socio-demographic characteristics and personal/relatives’ vulnerability to COVID-19 was also gleaned. RESULTS: The prevalence for moderate to severe cases was found to be 7.2% for stress, 9.4% for anxiety and 11.3% for depression. Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that men demonstrated significantly higher stress [B = -2.28, 95%CI = -3.88 - -0.68] and depression compared to women [B = -1.69, 95%CI = -3.19 - -0.19]. Similarly, the use of denial was found to be associated with higher stress [B = 0.69, 95%CI = 0.11 -1.37] and anxiety [B= 0.55, 95%CI = 0.13 – 0.98]. Moreover, emotional support was linked to heightened anxiety [B= 0.71, 95%CI = 0.36 – 1.06] and self-distraction to depression [B = 0.60, 95%CI = 0.16 – 1.04]. Personal or relatives’ vulnerability to COVID-19 did not impinge on mental health outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Healthcare initiatives should be tailored at the mental health needs of frontline paramedics, especially men. Psychosocial interventions should target maladaptive coping, especially the use of denial.