Morally injurious events and post-traumatic embitterment disorder in UK health and social care professionals during COVID-19: a cross-sectional web survey

Brennan, Chloe J, McKay, Michael T and Cole, Jon C (2022) Morally injurious events and post-traumatic embitterment disorder in UK health and social care professionals during COVID-19: a cross-sectional web survey. BMJ OPEN, 12 (5). e054062-.

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2021-054062

Abstract

<h4>Objective</h4>To estimate the prevalence and predictors of morally injurious events (MIEs) and post-traumatic embitterment disorder (PTED) in UK health and social care professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic.<h4>Design</h4>Cross-sectional study.<h4>Setting</h4>September-October 2020 in the UK. Online survey hosted on Qualtrics, and recruited through Prolific.<h4>Participants</h4>400 health and social care workers, aged 18 or above and living and working in the UK during the pandemic.<h4>Main outcome measures</h4>MIEs were assessed using the Moral Injury Events Scale and PTED was assessed using the PTED self-rating scale. Potential predictors were measured using surveys of exposure to occupational stressors, optimism, self-esteem, resilient coping style, consideration of future consequences and personal belief in a just world.<h4>Results</h4>19% of participants displayed clinical levels of PTED, and 73% experienced at least one COVID-related MIE. Exposure to occupational stressors increased the risk of experiencing PTED and MIEs, whereas personal belief in a procedurally just world, which is the belief that they experienced fair processes, was a protective mechanism.<h4>Conclusions</h4>MIEs and PTED are being experienced by UK health and social care professionals, particularly in those exposed to work-related stressors.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	COVID-19, health policy, mental health, psychiatry
Divisions:	Faculty of Health and Life Sciences Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Population Health
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	07 Jul 2022 09:30
Last Modified:	18 Jan 2023 20:56
DOI:	10.1136/bmjopen-2021-054062
Related URLs:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3157926