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. 2022 Apr 22;77:80–87. doi: 10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2022.04.009

Table 4.

Types of stressors and resilience strategies reported in the Town Halls.a

(a) Stressors.
Stressor Types Specific Stressors
Work Stress (31%)
  • -

    Dealing with changing work routines/structures

  • -

    Managers accommodating changing staff needs and work schedules

  • -

    Supporting staff when feeling stressed

  • -

    Dealing with stress behaviors by staff or colleagues
  • -

    Not being supported by supervisor or manager

  • -

    Feeling helpless to assist in the pandemic

  • -

    The pandemic as a threat to professional identity

  • -

    Feeling mental health stigma in the workplace

  • -

    Caring for sick and distressed patients
Family/Parenting Stress (26%)
  • -

    Increased/changing parenting demands

  • -

    Changing family routines/practices due to the pandemic

  • -

    Balancing work and family demands

  • -

    Sharing home and workspace

  • -

    Assisting with children's schooling
  • -

    Caring for elderly relatives

  • -

    Uncertainty about children's return to school

  • -

    Increased family conflict

  • -

    Concern about the pandemic's impact on child well-being

  • -

    Fear of family members getting infected

  • -

    Grief & loss of milestones
Stress Signs & Symptoms (20%)
  • -

    Anxiety and uncertainty about the pandemic & its aftermath

  • -

    Anger, irritability

  • -

    Difficulty sleeping

  • -

    Fatigue, exhaustion
  • -

    Grief & loss

  • -

    Guilt

  • -

    Overwhelmed with feelings, disoriented, difficulty concentrating

  • -

    Sadness, depression

  • -

    Anxiety about mental health or well-being
Societal Stress (social & political context) (14%)
  • -

    Governmental response to the pandemic

  • -

    Stress due to racial unrest & concerns about systemic racism

  • -

    Stress due to experiences of prejudice and microaggressions
  • -

    Stress due to media exposure

  • -

    Stress due to people not following pandemic protocols

  • -

    Stress due to the toxic political climate
Social Isolation Stress (7%)
  • -

    Loneliness & isolation
  • -

    Missing family, friends, and social connections
Self-Care Stress (3%)
  • -

    Challenges practicing self-care or related resilience strategies
  • -

    Challenges managing self-care tasks



(b) Resilience strategies
Resilience Strategy Types Specific Strategies
Practicing Acceptance (21%)
  • -

    Practice self-acceptance of situation

  • -

    Practice self-acceptance, including emotions
  • -

    Focus on what is possible right now

  • -

    Find meaning & purpose in the pandemic and its aftermath
Using Positive Reappraisal (17%)
  • -

    Focus on the positive in the situation

  • -

    Focus on lessons learned for the future
  • -

    Practice gratitude
Building Social Connection (17%)
  • -

    Connect with family or friends

  • -

    Connect with colleagues, co-workers, or supervisors

  • -

    Get support from family or friends

  • -

    Get support from colleagues, coworkers, or supervisors
  • -

    Get support from professionals

  • -

    Give support to family or friends

  • -

    Give support to colleagues, co-workers, or peers
Practicing Self Care (16%)
  • -

    Practice self-care (exercise, eating, sleep, substance use)

  • -

    Practice self-care (routines & structure, time away from work)

  • -

    Practice self-care (mindfulness, meditation, breathing)
  • -

    Practice self-care (prayer, worship, spirituality)

  • -

    Practice self-care (pandemic protocols)
Engaging in Valued Activities (10%)
  • -

    Engage in hobbies, projects, and pursuits
  • -

    Engage in social action (e.g., social & racial justice)
Making Adjustments at Work (9%)
  • -

    Adjust routines or schedules for staff or managers

  • -

    Implement pandemic protocols or lessons learned

  • -

    Implement/participate in programs to promote staff wellbeing
  • -

    Strategies for managers to support staff

  • -

    Receive support from supervisor

  • -

    As a reprieve with its own rewards
Making Family/Parenting Adjustments (7%)
  • -

    Adjust parenting practices or schedules

  • -

    Adjust family practices or schedules

  • -

    Promote child's self-care/wellbeing
  • -

    Promote connections for child(ren)

  • -

    Promote connections with extended family

  • -

    Promote connections with family friends
Limiting News/Media Exposure (3%)
  • -

    Limit exposure to news/media for self and family
  • -

    Stay informed despite limited exposure
a

There were 835 coded stress responses and 792 resilience strategies reported in 121 town halls and with a total of 3555 participants.