How have journalists been affected psychologically by their coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic? A descriptive study of two international news organisations

ObjectivesThe COVID-19 pandemic has presented unprecedented healthcare challenges. Journalists covering the pandemic at close quarters are working in ways akin to first responders, but nothing to date is known of the psychological distress this is potentially causing them. This study aims to determi...

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Vydáno v:BMJ open Ročník 11; číslo 7; s. e045675
Hlavní autoři: Osmann, Jonas, Selva, Meera, Feinstein, Anthony
Médium: Journal Article
Jazyk:angličtina
Vydáno: England British Medical Journal Publishing Group 12.07.2021
BMJ Publishing Group LTD
BMJ Publishing Group
Edice:Original research
Témata:
adult psychiatry
Alcohol
Anxiety - epidemiology
Anxiety disorders
Coronaviruses
Counseling
COVID-19
Cross-Sectional Studies
Data collection
depression & mood disorders
Depression - epidemiology
First responders
Gender
Humans
Journalism
Journalists
Likert scale
Mental depression
Mental Health
Pandemics
Post traumatic stress disorder
Quantitative psychology
Questionnaires
SARS-CoV-2
Statistical analysis
Stress, Psychological - epidemiology
adult psychiatry
anxiety disorders
depression & mood disorders
mental health
ISSN:2044-6055, 2044-6055
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Shrnutí:ObjectivesThe COVID-19 pandemic has presented unprecedented healthcare challenges. Journalists covering the pandemic at close quarters are working in ways akin to first responders, but nothing to date is known of the psychological distress this is potentially causing them. This study aims to determine whether journalists reporting on the COVID-19 crisis have been affected emotionally, and if so to assess the severity of their distress. It also investigates potential demographic and work-related predictors and whether news organisations had provided counselling to their journalists.ParticipantsA total of 111 journalists working for two international news organisations were approached of which 73 (66%) participated in the study.Primary and secondary outcome measuresSymptoms of anxiety (Generalised Anxiety Disorder Scale-7 (GAD-7)), depression (Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9)), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD; PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5)), overall psychological distress (12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12)), and treatment.ResultsThe percentages of journalists exceeding threshold scores for clinically significant anxiety, depression, PTSD and psychological distress were: GAD-7, 26%; PHQ-9, 20.5%; PCL-5, 9.6%; GHQ-12, 82.2%. Journalists assigned to cover the pandemic (n=54 (74%)) were significantly more anxious (p<0.05). Journalists who received counselling (n=38 (52%)) following the onset of the pandemic reported significantly fewer symptoms of anxiety (p<0.01), depression (p<0.01) and overall psychological distress (p<0.01).ConclusionsJournalists covering the COVID-19 pandemic are experiencing levels of anxiety and depression similar to those seen in first responders. Psychological therapy provided in a timely manner can significantly alleviate emotional distress.
Bibliografie:Original research
ObjectType-Article-1
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
ObjectType-Feature-2
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ISSN:2044-6055
2044-6055
DOI:10.1136/bmjopen-2020-045675