Investigating Fear of Covid-19, Social Distance and Burnout Among Health and Education Professionals Working in Special Education and Rehabilitation Centers

Abstract

Special Education and Rehabilitation Centers (SERC) are rare institutions where health and education professionals work together. This offers a unique opportunity to analyze coronaphobia and pay attention to social distance based on the field of license. This study investigates the relationship between coronaphobia and attention to social distance with different parameters among health and education professionals working in the SERC during the pandemic. Our study group consisted of 150 professionals, 97 of whom worked in the health sector and 53 in education, all employed at SERC in Turkey between July and November 2021. The COVID-19 Fear Scale was used to measure coronaphobia, the Social Distancing Scale for COVID-19 social distance level, and the Maslach Burnout Scale for occupational burnout. Coronaphobia and burnout were significantly higher (p=0.027) among education professionals than health professionals. There was no significant difference in social distance attention between the two groups. Salary satisfaction was significantly higher (p=0.004) among health science graduates than those in educational sciences. Coronaphobia and attention to social distancing were significantly worse (p<0.00, p=0.015) among professionals who were satisfied with their salary. A positive and strong correlation exists between burnout and fear of COVID-19 (p<0.001, r=598). In conclusion, to reduce coronaphobia in SERC, it is recommended to provide health literacy training and implement preventive approaches to occupational burnout.

Keywords

• COVID-19
• coronaphobia
• social distance
• special education and rehabilitation center

References

1. Abdelghani, M., Hassan, M. S., Elgohary, H. M., & Fouad, E. (2021). Exploring the factors associated with coronaphobia among physicians during the COVID-19 outbreak in Egypt. The Egyptian Journal of Neurology, Psychiatry and Neurosurgery, 57(1), 105. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41983-021-00357-6
2. Ahmed, F., Zviedrite, N., & Uzicanin, A. (2018). Effectiveness of workplace social distancing measures in reducing influenza transmission: A systematic review. BMC Public Health, 18(1), 518. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-018-5446-1
3. Ahorsu, D. K., Lin, C.-Y., Imani, V., Saffari, M., Griffiths, M. D., & Pakpour, A. H. (2022). The Fear of COVID-19 Scale: Development and Initial Validation. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 20(3), 1537–1545. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-020-00270-8
4. Alimoradi, Z., Ohayon, M. M., Griffiths, M. D., Lin, C.-Y., & Pakpour, A. H. (2022). Fear of COVID-19 and its association with mental health-related factors: Systematic review and meta-analysis. BJPsych Open, 8(2), e73. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjo.2022.26
5. Aljemaiah, A. I., Alyami, A. A., Alotaibi, F. S., & Osman, M. (2022). The prevalence of coronaphobia among nursing staff in Saudi Arabia. Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, 11(4), 1288–1291. https://doi.org/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1412_21
6. Altunalan, T., Demirci, D., Gül, S., & Öztel, A. (2022). The Investigation of musculoskeletal disorders, sleep quality, and fatigue of frontline healthcare workers during the COVID-19. International Journal of Disabilities Sports and Health Sciences, 5(2), 143–149. https://doi.org/10.33438/ijdshs.1174653
7. Artan, T., Meydan, S., & Irmak, S. (2021). Turkish Version of the Fear of COVID-19 Scale: Validity and Reliability Study. Archives of Health Science and Research, 8(2), 117–123. https://doi.org/10.5152/ArcHealthSciRes.2021.20113
8. Ayaslıer, A. A., Albayrak, B., Çelik, E., Özdemir, Ö., Özgür, Ö., Kırımlı, E., Kayı, İ., & Sakarya, S. (2023). Burnout in primary healthcare physicians and nurses in Turkey during COVID-19 pandemic. Primary Health Care Research & Development, 24, e4. https://doi.org/10.1017/S146342362200069X

9. Benigno, V., Usai, F., Mutta, E. D., Ferlino, L., & Passarelli, M. (2024). Burnout among special education teachers: Exploring the interplay between individual and contextual factors. European Journal of Special Needs Education, 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1080/08856257.2024.2351702
10. Czeisler, M. É., Wolkow, A. P., Czeisler, C. A., Howard, M. E., Rajaratnam, S. M. W., & Lane, R. I. (2023). Association between burnout and adherence with mask usage and additional COVID-19 prevention behaviours: Findings from a large-scale, demographically representative survey of US adults. BMJ Open, 13(3), e066226. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2022-066226
11. Dragioti, E., Tsartsalis, D., Mentis, M., Mantzoukas, S., & Gouva, M. (2022). Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of hospital staff: An umbrella review of 44 meta-analyses. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 131, 104272. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2022.104272
12. Duong, T. V., Nguyen, M. H., Lai, C.-F., Chen, S.-C., Dadaczynski, K., Okan, O., & Lin, C.-Y. (2022). COVID-19-related fear, stress and depression in school principals: Impacts of symptoms like COVID-19, information confusion, health-related activity limitations, working hours, sense of coherence and health literacy. Annals of Medicine, 54(1), 2064–2077. https://doi.org/10.1080/07853890.2022.2101688
13. Enea, V., Candel, O. S., Zancu, S. A., Scrumeda, A., Bărbuşelu, M., Largu, A. M., & Manciuc, C. (2022). Death anxiety and burnout in intensive care unit specialists facing the COVID-19 outbreak: The mediating role of obsession with COVID-19 and coronaphobia. Death Studies, 46(10), 2306–2315. https://doi.org/10.1080/07481187.2021.1928331
14. Erdoğan, M., Saka, G., & Arca, M. (2023). Burnout levels of employees in special education and rehabilitation centers. ESTUDAM Public Health Journal, 8(1), 31–41. https://doi.org/10.35232/estudamhsd.1143028
15. Ergin, C. (1992). Doktor ve Hemşirelerde Tükenmişlik ve Maslach Tükenmişlik Ölçeğinin Uyarlanması. VII. Ulusal Psikoloji Kongresi, Ankara (Turkey).
16. Firouzkouhi, M., Alimohammadi, N., Abdollahimohammad, A., Bagheri, G., & Farzi, J. (2023). Bereaved Families Views on the Death of Loved Ones Due to COVID 19: An Integrative Review. Omega, 88(1), 4–19. https://doi.org/10.1177/00302228211038206
17. Fontanari, J. F. (2021). A stochastic model for the influence of social distancing on loneliness. Physica A, 584, 126367. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physa.2021.126367
18. Göransson, K., Lindqvist, G., Möllås, G., Almqvist, L., & Nilholm, C. (2017). Ideas about occupational roles and inclusive practices among special needs educators and support teachers in Sweden. Educational Review, 69(4), 490–505. https://doi.org/10.1080/00131911.2016.1237477
19. Hartavi, S., & Çelikay Söyler, H. (2022). COVİD-19 Pandemi Sürecinde Birinci Basamak Sağlık Çalışanlarında Psikolojik Sıkıntı, Tükenmişlik ve Hijyen Davranışlarının İncelenmesi Investigation of Psychological Distress, Burnout and Hygiene Behaviors in Primary Health Workers During The COVİD-19 Pandemia Process. Turk Turizm Arastirmalari Dergisi, 5. https://doi.org/10.26677/TR1010.2022.1119
20. İpek Dongaz, Ö., Özen Oruk, D., Güp, A. A., Koç, M., Bayar, B., & Bayar, K. (2023). Coronaphobia among healthcare professionals and its associations with sleep quality, physical activity, and fatigue in Turkey. International Journal of Healthcare Management, 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1080/20479700.2023.2210392
21. Ishaky, L., Sivanthan, M., Nowrouzi-Kia, B., Papadopoulos, A., & Gohar, B. (2023). The mental health of laboratory and rehabilitation specialists during COVID-19: A rapid review. AIMS Public Health, 10(1), 63–77. https://doi.org/10.3934/publichealth.2023006
22. Islam, N., Sharp, S. J., Chowell, G., Shabnam, S., Kawachi, I., Lacey, B., Massaro, J. M., D’Agostino, R. B., & White, M. (2020). Physical distancing interventions and incidence of coronavirus disease 2019: Natural experiment in 149 countries. BMJ (Clinical Research Ed.), 370, m2743. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.m2743
23. Karagöl, A., & Törenli Kaya, Z. (2022). Healthcare workers’ burn-out, hopelessness, fear of COVID-19 and perceived social support levels. The European Journal of Psychiatry, 36(3), 200–206. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejpsy.2022.01.001
24. Labrague, L. J., & De Los Santos, J. A. A. (2021). Prevalence and predictors of coronaphobia among frontline hospital and public health nurses. Public Health Nursing, 38(3), 382–389. https://doi.org/10.1111/phn.12841
25. Liu, J., Ouyang, N., Mizrahi, A., & Kornides, M. L. (2024). Social Distancing in the COVID-19 Pandemic: Associated Factors, Health Outcomes, and Implications. Family & Community Health, 47(1), 80–94. https://doi.org/10.1097/FCH.0000000000000367
26. Maresca, G., Corallo, F., Catanese, G., Formica, C., & Lo Buono, V. (2022). Coping Strategies of Healthcare Professionals with Burnout Syndrome: A Systematic Review. Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania), 58(2), 327. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina58020327
27. Maslach, C., & Jackson, S. E. (1981). The measurement of experienced burnout. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 2(2), 99–113. https://doi.org/10.1002/job.4030020205
28. Molina-Praena, J., Ramirez-Baena, L., Gómez-Urquiza, J. L., Cañadas, G. R., De La Fuente, E. I., & Cañadas-De La Fuente, G. A. (2018). Levels of Burnout and Risk Factors in Medical Area Nurses: A Meta-Analytic Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15(12), 2800. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15122800
29. Moretti, M., De Geyter, D., Van Cutsem, E., Van Laere, S., Pierard, D., & Allard, S. D. (2022). Fear for CoViD-19 and reluctance to work among health care workers during the epidemic, a prospective monocentric cohort study. American Journal of Infection Control, 50(3), 312–318. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2021.10.042
30. Murphy, C., Lim, W. W., Mills, C., Wong, J. Y., Chen, D., Xie, Y., Li, M., Gould, S., Xin, H., Cheung, J. K., Bhatt, S., Cowling, B. J., & Donnelly, C. A. (2023). Effectiveness of social distancing measures and lockdowns for reducing transmission of COVID-19 in non-healthcare, community-based settings. Philosophical Transactions. Series A, Mathematical, Physical, and Engineering Sciences, 381(2257), 20230132. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsta.2023.0132
31. Oral, T., & Gunlu, A. (2022). Adaptation of the Social Distancing Scale in the Covid-19 Era: Its Association with Depression, Anxiety, Stress, and Resilience in Turkey. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 20(3), 1336–1353. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-020-00447-1
32. Ozamiz-Etxebarria, N., Legorburu Fernnadez, I., Lipnicki, D. M., Idoiaga Mondragon, N., & Santabárbara, J. (2023). Prevalence of Burnout among Teachers during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Meta-Analysis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(6), 4866. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20064866
33. Padmanabhanunni, A., & Pretorius, T. B. (2023). Teacher Burnout in the Time of COVID-19: Antecedents and Psychological Consequences. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(5), 4204. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20054204
34. Romeu-Labayen, M., Tort-Nasarre, G., Alvarez, B., Subias-Miquel, M., Vázquez-Segura, E., Marre, D., & Galbany-Estragués, P. (2022). Spanish nurses’ experiences with personal protective equipment and perceptions of risk of contagion from COVID-19: A qualitative rapid appraisal. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 31(15–16), 2154–2166. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.16031
35. Şenocak, E., Karaca, S., Tanhan, A., Demi̇R, Ş., & Yi̇Ldi̇Z Ozer, A. (2023). Burnout of the physiotherapists and encountered stress factors related to coronavirus epidemic in Turkey. Journal of Exercise Therapy and Rehabilitation, 10(1), 48–56. https://doi.org/10.15437/jetr.1088287
36. Sönmez, D., & Çağlayan, F. (2022). Determination of the Effect of Work Stress on Burnout in Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Department Employees After Epidemics and Application in Istanbul Private Rehabilitation Centers. International Journal of Law and Social Science Studies, 4(1), 12–32. https://doi.org/10.51524/uhusbad.1007534
37. Tarakcı, E., Tütüncüoğlu, F., & Tarakçı, D. (2012). Examination of self-efficacy and burnout levels of members of a profession working in the field of special education and rehabilitation. 23(1), 26–35.
38. Tekkas Kerman, K., Albayrak, S., Arkan, G., Ozabrahamyan, S., & Beser, A. (2022). The effect of the COVID-19 social distancing measures on Turkish women’s mental well-being and burnout levels: A cross-sectional study. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 31(4), 985–1001. https://doi.org/10.1111/inm.13009
39. Van Rooij, B., De Bruijn, A. L., Reinders Folmer, C., Kooistra, E. B., Kuiper, M. E., Brownlee, M., Olthuis, E., & Fine, A. (2020). Compliance with COVID-19 Mitigation Measures in the United States [Preprint]. PsyArXiv. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/qymu3
40. Yılmaz, Y., Erdoğan, A., & Bahadır, E. (2021). Fear, Anxiety, Burnout, and Insomnia Levels of Healthcare Workers during COVID-19 Pandemic in Turkey. Psychiatria Danubina, 33(Suppl 13), 350–356.