Analysis of job stress, depression, and mindfulness among Korean physical therapists during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Background: Although there are studies on preventing of COVID-19 infection for physical therapists during the COVID-19 pandemic, few studies have analyzed the job stress, depression, and mindfulness among physical therapists. Objective: This study aimed to analyze workplace mental health such as personal characteristics, mindfulness, depression, and job stress, among physical therapists in Korea during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A survey was conducted among 280 physical therapists in Korea from December 2021 to January 2022 to collect demographic information and data on job stress, depression, and mindfulness. Frequency analysis, chi-square test, cross-tabulation, correlation analysis, and analysis of variance were conducted. Results: The participants exhibited a high-stress index regardless of the type of medical institution, age, and education during the COVID-19 pandemic. Job stress showed significant differences by marriage, education, work department, and depression. It was positively correlated with depression (r = 0.527, p < 0.001) and was higher among musculoskeletal physical therapists (F = 3.710, p < 0.01). Depression differed significantly by work period, job stress, and mindfulness. Although mindfulness differed significantly only by depression, it was negatively correlated with stress (r = -0.440, p < 0.001) and depression (r = -0.525, p < 0.001) and was higher among participants with graduate than undergraduate degrees (F = 3.751, p < 0.05). Conclusions: The participants suffered from psychological instability and stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, musculoskeletal physical therapists who mainly performed manual therapy exhibited higher job stress indexes compared to other divisions.