Depressive disorders among physician parents in times of COVID-19 pandemic. (1st June 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Regaieg, N.; Ben Touhemi, D.; Fayala, A.; Boudabous, J.; Kammoun, W.; Khemakhem, K.; Hadj Kacem, I.; Ayadi, H.; Moalla, Y.
• Is Part Of: European psychiatry. Volume 65:Supplement 1(2022)
• Page Start: S552
• Page End: S553
• Publication Date: 2022-06-01
• Subjects: physician parents -- Covid-19 -- Depression; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Mental illness -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.89
• DOI: 10.1192/j.eurpsy.2022.1414
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0924-9338

Abstract

Abstract : Introduction: Studies have shown that physicians manifest a clear duty to work. For parents, reconciling work with parenthood is not easy and can even lead to depression. Objectives: To determine the prevalence and the factors for depression in Tunisian physician parents. Methods: This was a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study of 93 Tunisian physician parents, conducted on google drive in March 2021, including a questionnaire containing the parents' personal and professional data and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Results: In our study, the sex ratio (M/F) was 0.05. The average age was 34.43 years old. Almost three-quarters of doctors (71.3%) were providing on duty services in the hospital while 69% were providing at least one call per month in COVID units. The average BDI score was 6.16. According to the BDI score, 60.9% of participants had depression. The BDI score was correlated with several types of dissatisfaction: dissatisfaction with the relationship with his child (p = 0.002), time devoted to the partner (0.001), time devoted to the child (p = 0.004), child's educational style (p <0.001), time spent on leisure or personal activities (p <0.001), child's academic performance (p = 0.001) and child's behavior (p <0.001). Furthermore, the BDI score was associated with postponing having a child for career reasons (p = 0.038) and thinking that his career is slowed down by parenthood (p <0.001). Conclusions: Depression's rate among physician parents appears to be significant. It's associated with a feeling of guilt and dissatisfaction, hence the necessity of an early detection and management. Disclosure: No significant relationships.