Prolonged Effects on Frontline Caregivers: Occupational Stress and Mental Well-Being in Transformed Healthcare Environments Post-COVID-19.

The study sample was predominantly female and experienced, with heterogeneous general quality of life scores.

• 146 nursing professionals in Brazilian SUS emergency units participated
• Data were collected remotely during the post-acute pandemic phase (July–November 2024)
• A quantitative, descriptive, exploratory, cross-sectional design was employed
• Quality of Life was assessed using the WHOQOL-BREF instrument
• Mental health was assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)

Pervasive anxiety was observed among nursing technicians, reflecting a sustained psychological burden in the post-pandemic period.

• The predominantly female, experienced sample showed 'pervasive anxiety' despite heterogeneous general QoL
• The emergency environment's overwhelming influence, intensified by post-pandemic challenges, was identified as a key driver
• The intrinsic nature of emergency work was amplified by persistent psychosocial effects of the global health crisis
• Sociodemographic and professional factors had a negligible impact on mental health outcomes

Psychological distress was strongly negatively correlated with overall quality of life and with depression in the social domain.

• Descriptive and correlational statistics were used to analyze the relationship between mental health and QoL
• Psychological distress showed a strong negative correlation with overall QoL
• Depression was negatively correlated specifically in the social domain of QoL
• The emergency environment's influence was identified as more impactful than sociodemographic or professional factors

Sociodemographic and professional factors had negligible impact on quality of life and mental health outcomes among the nursing technicians.

• Variables such as sex, experience level, and other sociodemographic characteristics did not substantially explain variation in QoL or mental health
• The emergency environment itself was identified as the overwhelming influence on worker well-being
• Post-pandemic challenges were cited as intensifying the environmental effect

The post-COVID-19 healthcare environment introduced new psychosocial challenges including loneliness and prolonged mental health impacts that impair quality of life and social relationships.

• Anxiety and impaired QoL and social relationships were driven by the intrinsic nature of emergency work amplified by persistent psychosocial effects of the global health crisis
• New realities such as loneliness and prolonged mental health impacts were identified as factors affecting professional well-being
• Interventions strengthening QoL, enhancing coping, and adapting work environments to these new realities were identified as vital for both professional well-being and patient care