Psychological resilience, coping behaviours and social support among health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review of quantitative studies

AIM: To appraise and synthesize studies examining resilience, coping behaviours and social support among health care workers during the coronavirus pandemic.

BACKGROUND: A wide range of evidence has shown that health care workers, currently on the frontlines in the fight against COVID-19, are not spared from the psychological and mental health-related consequences of the pandemic. Studies synthesizing the role of coping behaviours, resilience and social support in safeguarding the mental health of health care workers during the pandemic are largely unknown.

EVALUATION: This is a systematic review with a narrative synthesis. A total of 31 articles were included in the review.

KEY ISSUES: Health care workers utilized both problem-centred and emotion-centred coping to manage the stress associated with the coronavirus pandemic. Coping behaviours, resilience and social support were associated with positive mental and psychological health outcomes.

CONCLUSION: Substantial evidence supports the effectiveness of coping behaviours, resilience and social support to preserve psychological and mental health among health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: In order to safeguard the mental health of health care workers during the pandemic, hospital and nursing administrators should implement proactive measures to sustain resilience in HCWs, build coping skills and implement creative ways to foster social support in health care workers through theory-based interventions, supportive leadership and fostering a resilient work environment.