The impact of informal caregiving on the mental health of health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic—cross-sectional and longitudinal results from the VOICE study
Wintermann GB, Bornhorn AI, Steudte-Schmiedgen S, Albus C, Baranowski AM, Beschoner P, Erim Y, Geiser F, Jerg-Bretzke L, Morawa E, Mogwitz S, Weidner K (2025)
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2025
Journal
Book Volume: 13
Article Number: 1559518
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1559518
Abstract
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic increased psychological distress among health care workers (HCWs). Those with informal caregiving responsibilities (ICs) may be especially vulnerable, but data remain limited. Methods: In a multicenter online survey conducted across four time points (T1–T4: 2020–2022) within the German healthcare system, HCWs with ICs were compared to those without (comparison group, CG). Psychological distress was assessed using validated measures of anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder/GAD-2) and depression (Patient Health Questionnaire/PHQ-2). Group differences were analyzed using non-parametric Mann–Whitney U and chi-square tests. Longitudinal logistic regression analyses examined the impact of IC on psychological distress, controlling for sociodemographic, occupational, and psychological factors. A moderation analysis tested whether fear of infecting relatives influenced the salutogenic effect of optimism. All analyses were performed with multiply imputed data and a retrospective sample size justification was conducted. Results: ICs were more likely to be female, older, work in occupations other than medicine, work part-time, have children, and have more than 6 years of work experience. While ICs showed significantly higher PHQ-4 anxiety and depression than CG at T1 and T2, no significant differences could be shown for the other time points. IC emerged as a significant risk factor for increased psychological distress longitudinally, even after controlling for confounders. The protective effect of optimism was moderated by fear of infecting relatives at T1. Conclusion: HCWs with informal caregiving duties represent a vulnerable subgroup with increased psychological distress, especially during the early pandemic. This group may benefit from targeted support (e.g., flexible schedules, protective equipment, psychological interventions). Limitations include lack of pre-pandemic data and reliance on self-report. Findings underscore the importance of acknowledging and addressing overlapping care burdens in future health crises.
Authors with CRIS profile
Yesim Erim
Professur für Psychosomatik und Psychotherapie
Eva Morawa
Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy
Involved external institutions
Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus Dresden
Germany (DE)
Universitätsklinikum Bonn
Germany (DE)
Universitätsklinikum Ulm
Germany (DE)
Germany (DE)
Universitätsklinikum Bonn
Germany (DE)
Universitätsklinikum Ulm
Germany (DE)
How to cite
APA:
Wintermann, G.B., Bornhorn, A.I., Steudte-Schmiedgen, S., Albus, C., Baranowski, A.M., Beschoner, P.,... Weidner, K. (2025). The impact of informal caregiving on the mental health of health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic—cross-sectional and longitudinal results from the VOICE study. Frontiers in Public Health, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1559518
MLA:
Wintermann, Gloria Beatrice, et al. "The impact of informal caregiving on the mental health of health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic—cross-sectional and longitudinal results from the VOICE study." Frontiers in Public Health 13 (2025).
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