Association between family relationship satisfaction and symptoms of depression and anxiety among health care workers during the first emergency situation of COVID-19 in Latvia

Symptoms of depression and anxiety are increasing among health care workers (HCW) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Social support is an important protective factor for mental health. The aim of the study was to assess the association between relationship satisfaction and symptoms of depression and anxiety among HCW during the first emergency situation of Covid-19 in Latvia. A quantitative cross-sectional study in the population of HCW in Latvia was made in April-June 2020. In the study participated 864 HCW. Depression symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scale, anxiety simptoms- using General Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) scale. Participants were asked about the family relationship status- married, unmarried with a partner, single- and feeling of satisfaction in it. Data was analyzed using SPSS- Chi-Square tests, Mann–Whitney U test, Kruskall Wallis test. The status of the relationship was obtained from 838 participants: 43% (n=360)- married, 33.5% (n=281)- unmarried with a partner, 23.5% (n=197)- single. The satisfaction of the relationship was obtained from 790 participants: 90,5% married (N=338), 84,3% unmarried with a partner (N=268) and 68,5% singles (N=184) were satisfied. There wasn’t statistically significant differences between depression and anxiety symptoms and relationship status (p=0,348; p=0,375). Dissatisfied married HCW noted more severe anxiety symptoms (p=0.010) in comparison with satisfied married HCW, whereas the statistically significant difference between marital satisfaction and depression symptoms was not found (p=0.158). Dissatisfied unmarried HCW with a partner (p=0,006; p=0,033) and dissatisfied single HCW (p<0,001; p=0,001) had more severe depression and anxiety symptoms in comparison with corresponding satisfied groups. There is a statistically significant association between family relationship dissatisfaction and anxiety symptoms among married, unmarried with a partner and single HCW. There is a statistically significant association between family relationship dissatisfaction and depression symptoms among unmarried with a partner and a single HCW.