Factors associated to perceived stress in hospital workers in a psychiatric hospital in Spain during COVID-19

Background: Health workers enduring the COVID-19 pandemic could be at risk of psychological stress. This study aimed to 1) measure the levels of perceived stress by workers at a psychiatric hospital in Barcelona, Spain, 2) to identify demographic or occupational factors related to a higher risk of perceiving greater stress, and 3) to examine the use of the psychological support service offered to hospital employees as well as to identify potential barriers and preferences regarding access to this service. Methods: All hospital workers were invited to participate in a cross-sectional, observational study. An anonymous online survey was employed to administer the 14-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) as a measurement of perceived stress. A multiple-choice questionnaire gathering participants’ sociodemographic and occu- pational data was also included. The relationship between sociode- mographic/occupational variables and the PSS score was analyzed by using t test or one-factor ANOVAs. In addition, all sociodemogra- phic/occupational variables were included in a single linear additive model with the total PSS score as the dependent variable. Results: Two hundred and forty-nine workers participated in the survey. The median PSS score was 24 IQR: (10.25). Associations between higher levels of perceived stress and difficulties in work-fa- mily balance, having faced discrimination, and female gender were found. A protective association between perceiving current role as important and lower perceived stress was also detected. Although 34% of participants recognized a personal need for psychological support, only 2% had contacted the in-house psychological support service. Issues regarding lack of time or scheduling difficulties were one of the main reported barriers reducing access to psychological support. Conclusion: Health workers are at risk of facing stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Risk factors for higher stress include fe- male gender and also the potentially modifiable sociodemographic variables mentioned above