The Mediating Role of Five Personality Factors in the Relationship between Perceived Vulnerability to Infectious Disease and the Experience of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms among Health-Care Providers for Patient with Covid-19

During the outbreak of coronavirus, nurses and staff in Covid-19-related departments, which are at the forefront of the fight against pandemics, were exposed to a wide range of psychosocial stressors. The aim of this study was to investigate the mediating role of five personality factors in the relationship between perceived vulnerability to the disease and the experience of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms among health-care providers for patient with Covid-19. The present study is a descriptive-correlational applied research. The study population consisted of the treatment staff of patients with Covid-19 working in hospitals in Tehran in June and July 2021, from which 677 people were selected as an available sample. The research instruments include a short form of NEO Personality Five-Factor Questionnaire, Mississippi Traumatic Stress Disorder Citizenship Scale, and Perceived Vulnerability Questionnaire was completed online by care staff. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation method and structural equation analysis using Amos and SPSS software. The results indicate that the indirect effect of perceived vulnerability on the experience of PTSD symptoms is mediated by neuroticism and agreeableness. Screening and identifying people with high neuroticism traits and low agreeableness in the treatment staff and considering interventions to modify these personality traits can be effective in preventing PTSD.