Mediating role of emotion disclosure between emotion regulation and apprehension in healthcare professionals during COVID-19

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Published: Sep 30, 2023
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35845/kmuj.2023.22017
Keywords:
Healthcare Workers Healthcare Personnel Emotion Regulation Emotion Disclosure Emotions Emotion regulation questionnaire Psychosocial reaction scale Emotional self-disclosure scale Negotiating COVID-19

Main Article Content

Sadia Saleem
Department of Clinical Psychology, School of Professional Psychology, University of Management and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan
Halima Khurshid
Department of Clinical Psychology, School of Professional Psychology, University of Management and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan
Rabia Khadim
Department of Clinical Psychology, School of Professional Psychology, University of Management and Technology, Lahore
Sara Subhan
Department of Clinical Psychology, School of Professional Psychology, University of Management and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To identify the mediating role of emotional disclosure between emotion regulation and apprehension in health care professionals during Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19).


METHODS: This correlational study, spanning three months, involved seventy-six healthcare workers. These individuals, encompassing both paid and unpaid personnel serving in healthcare facilities, were selected through purposive sampling. They operated in various health-care settings across public and private sectors in Lahore, Pakistan, and had the potential for direct or indirect exposure to patients or their infectious secretions and materials. Three self-reported measures emotion regulation questionnaire, psychosocial reaction scale, and emotional self-disclosure scale were used along with one demographic sheet to collect data. Descriptive statistics, correlation method and mediation analysis were used to test the hypothesis. 


RESULTS: Out of 76 participants, 41 (54%) were males. Mean age of participants was 29.68±8.14 years. Majority (n=58/76;76%) of participants were doctors; 26 (34%) had prior exposure to Covid virus. Correlation analysis revealed that cognitive reappraisal is positively associated with positive emotional disclosure (r=.35; p<.001), and expressive suppression is positively associated with negative emotional disclosure (r=.23; p<.05) and apprehension (r=.43; p<.001) in healthcare workers. Furthermore, negatively emotional disclosure is positively associated with apprehension. Mediation analysis showed that negative emotional disclosure partially mediates the association between expressive suppression and apprehension (β=0.33, SE=0.11, p < .001).


CONCLUSION: Findings suggest healthcare workers to be at greater risk of developing mental health conditions and they need to practice adaptive emotion regulation strategies such as acceptance, reappraisal, and problem solving especially during emergency situations like Covid.

Article Details

How to Cite
Saleem, S., H. Khurshid, R. Khadim, and S. Subhan. “Mediating Role of Emotion Disclosure Between Emotion Regulation and Apprehension in Healthcare Professionals During COVID-19”. KHYBER MEDICAL UNIVERSITY JOURNAL, vol. 15, no. 3, Sept. 2023, pp. 171-5, doi:10.35845/kmuj.2023.22017.
Issue
Vol. 15 No. 3 (2023): KMUJ 2023; Vol 15; Issue 3 - Jul - Sep
Section
Original Articles
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Author Biographies

Sadia Saleem, Department of Clinical Psychology, School of Professional Psychology, University of Management and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan

Dean, School of Professional Psychology
Professor

Fulbright Postdoctoral Fellow, USA

Rabia Khadim, Department of Clinical Psychology, School of Professional Psychology, University of Management and Technology, Lahore

Lecturer
Department of Clinical Psychology
School of Professional Psychology

Sara Subhan, Department of Clinical Psychology, School of Professional Psychology, University of Management and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan

Acting Chairperson, Department of Clinical Psychology, Assistant Professor

School of Professional Psychology

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