Coping mechanisms used by pharmacists to deal with stress, what is helpful and what is harmful?

Australian pharmacists encountered increased stressors during the COVID-19 pandemic. This has raised questions regarding the effectiveness of the coping mechanisms used to manage this high work-related stress. Identifying useful and harmful coping mechanisms is critical for providing advice regardin...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Exploratory research in clinical and social pharmacy Vol. 9; p. 100205
Main Authors:	Shahin, Wejdan, Issa, Sara, Jadooe, Marwah, Shmoae, Massara, Yelegin, Muhammed, Selvarajah, Sharmitha, Stupans, Ieva, Dunkley, Kay, Thrimawithana, Thilini
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	United States Elsevier Inc 01-03-2023 Published by Elsevier Inc Elsevier
Subjects:	Coping mechanisms Covid19 pandemic Perceived stress scale Pharmacists Coping mechanisms Perceived stress scale Pharmacists Covid19 pandemic
Online Access:	Get full text
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Summary:	Australian pharmacists encountered increased stressors during the COVID-19 pandemic. This has raised questions regarding the effectiveness of the coping mechanisms used to manage this high work-related stress. Identifying useful and harmful coping mechanisms is critical for providing advice regarding addressing pharmacists' future work-related stress. This study aimed to explore the impact of pharmacy work on stress experienced by Australian pharmacists and the coping mechanisms used during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study also aimed to evaluate the pharmacists' perceptions of the impact of these coping mechanisms on their stress. A cross-sectional study was conducted. Practising pharmacists and interns were recruited to complete an online survey that included the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), which was used to measure pharmacists' work-related stress, and the Brief-COPE scale, used to assess the coping mechanisms used during the COVID-19 pandemic. The key outcome measure was the PSS score. A multiple regression analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between coping mechanisms and stress levels in a sample of Australian pharmacists. A total of 173 pharmacists and interns were recruited. The mean PSS was 18.02 (SD = 6.7). Avoidant coping mechanisms such as social withdrawal (β = 0.31; p = 0.0001) were significantly positively associated with work-related stress. In contrast, exercise was significantly negatively associated with work-related stress (β = −0.21; p = 0.009). The most frequently reported perceived barrier to seeking help was feeling burnt out and underappreciated. This study highlights the association of coping mechanisms used by pharmacists during the COVID-19 pandemic with work-related stress. The study results demonstrate the importance of physical activity and spending time with pets in reducing work-related stress levels. Avoiding harmful coping mechanisms such as social withdrawal and drinking alcohol is recommended. This study also highlights the need for interventional studies to reduce work-related stress levels among pharmacists by addressing useful coping mechanisms.
Bibliography:	ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23
ISSN:	2667-2766 2667-2766
DOI:	10.1016/j.rcsop.2022.100205