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.