Longitudinal Study on Post‐Traumatic Stress Disorder, Anxiety, and Depression Among Medical Staff in China

Evidence of the longitudinal relationship between anxiety, depression, and post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is not uniform. This study aimed to explore the dynamic changes, independent factors, and bidirectional predictive relationships of anxiety, depression, and PTSD among medical staff.

This study conducted a longitudinal follow‐up with two time points, 6 months apart, to collect medical staff's psychological data. Generalized linear mixed model and cross‐lagged model were used to identify independent factors of anxiety, depression, and PTSD among medical staff and explore longitudinal predictive relationships in main variables.

In total, 2650 medical staff completed both baseline and follow‐up surveys, with a follow‐up response rate of 96.3%. From the first phase of the survey (T1) to the second phase of the survey (T2), the prevalence of anxiety (28.9% at T1 and 34.5% at T2), depression (19.4% and 26.7%), and PTSD (6.1% and 13.1%) among medical staff showed an upward trend. Occupational exposure, sleep quality, and experiencing traumatic life events were identified as independent factors associated with psychological disorders among medical staff. In addition, from T1 to T2, PTSD predicted anxiety and depression, and depression predicted PTSD and anxiety. However, anxiety could not predict depression and PTSD.

The prevalence of anxiety, depression, and PTSD among medical staff was higher and showed an upward trend. It is recommended to conduct early screening and intervention for medical staff's mental health problems, while paying close attention to the comprehensive management and intervention of these symptoms.