PSYCHOLOGICAL VULNERABILITY, RESILIENCE AND SOCIAL SUPPORT AMONG HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS DURING COVID-19: A CROSS CULTURAL STUDY

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the moderating effect of social support during COVID-19, on psychological vulnerability and resilience among medical health care professionals of Pakistan and United States.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: In Islamic Republic of Pakistan and United States, from Apr to Jun 2020.

Methodology: The cross-sectional survey was conducted for responses from Health Care Professionals from Pakistan and United States. These health care professionals included medical and para medical staff who were serving during the pandemic period and were willing to participate. Convenient sampling was used and consent was obtained from each subject through google form. All participants evaluated using standardized question-naires; Psychological Vulnerability, Resilience and Social Support.

Results: Results indicated non-significant differences between Pakistani and US health care professionals on psychological vulnerability. Pakistani health care professional are more resilient (M=32.26, SD= 5.39) and have more social support (M=35.37, SD=5.49) than US health care professional on resilience (M=29.47, SD=6.23) and social support (M=31.23, SD=4.35).

Conclusion: Results confirmed psychological vulnerability to be higher in health care professionals of both countries while resilience & social support have been estimated higher in Pakistani professionals with social support having a moderating effect.