Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of prolonged exposure to emergency situations during the pandemic on the mental health of nurses/technicians, focusing on burnout and post-traumatic stress symptoms, and the effects of psychological resilience levels on their overall life satisfaction. A total of 125 nurses/technicians participated in the study conducted at the Department of Health Studies of the University of Split in Croatia. The burnout syndrome level was examined using the Burnout Intensity Questionnaire, the post-traumatic stress symptoms were assessed using the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist, psychological resilience was assessed using the Brief Resilience Scale, while overall life satisfaction was measured using the Life Satisfaction Scale. After working for two years amid the COVID-19 pandemic, approximately 30% of nurses/technicians reported symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and a high level of burnout. Neither burnout nor posttraumatic stress symptoms were found to be associated with life satisfaction. However, psychological resilience was positively associated with life satisfaction, even after controlling for the effects of burnout and post-traumatic stress. The COVID-19 pandemic has placed an immense burden on healthcare systems worldwide, with high rates of burnout and PTSD symptoms among healthcare professionals. The importance of psychological resilience is emphasized as a factor in promoting mental health among healthcare professionals.