Economic Inflation and Occupational Stress: Understanding Psychological Distress Among Healthcare Workers

Abstract

Economic Inflation has placed a unique burden on healthcare workers, increasing psychological distress and changing their professional experiences. This study assesses levels of stress and anxiety in healthcare workers, namely medical interns, nurses, and paramedics, before and after the economic crisis, while exploring factors that influence their mental health. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 180 healthcare workers in a hospital in Tehran, Iran. They completed a questionnaire containing the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) about their stress before and after the crisis, which coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic situation. Some demographic characteristics, such as occupation title, marital status, gender, and age, have been explored in order to find their possible relation to the variation of anxiety state. The study exposed different responses to stress among professional groups. Medical interns showed the highest increase in stress level (55.4%), while paramedics (16%) and nurses showed comparatively stable levels (8.9%). Marital status significantly influenced anxiety; married respondents exhibited a higher increase in stress level (40%) compared with singles (26%, P=0.04). No significant associations were found between changes in stress level and age (P=0.12) or sex (P=0.07). 35.5% of participants showed an improvement in stress levels, while 30% experienced a worsening, and 34.5% did not change significantly. These findings underline the huge psychological impact of the financial instability on healthcare workers, hence the need to emphasize targeted mental health interventions. Programs focusing on stress management, resilience building, and professional support are crucial for enhancing the well-being of healthcare professionals during economic crises.