Abstract

Aims: This study examines how frontline medicalworkers’ self-leadership impacts their acute stress reaction (ASR) and qualityof life (QOL) during the COVID-19 outbreak in China.

‍Methods: 187 valid samples of frontline medical workers were collected from10th February to 16th 2020 through a set of internet-based questionnaires,which includes general information, the Revised Self-Leadership Questionnaire(RSLQ), and the Stanford Acute Stress Response Questionnaire (SASRQ), and the WHOQOL-BREF.

‍Results: ①The average scores of the nine dimensions ofself-leadership are (3.11 ± 0.86) to (3.72 ± 0.62) points, which are in theupper middle level; the score of ASR for COVID-19 was (29.27±25.87) points, and53 respondents appeared with acute stress disorder (ASD) (total SASRQ score≥40,accounting for 28.34%); the total QOL score assessed by WHOQOL-BREF is(63.14±12.53) points. ②The correlation analysis showed thatself-punishment(r = 0.188, P <0.05) and visualizing successful performance(r= 0.167, P <0.05) were positively correlated with the ASR; self-goalsetting(r = 0.300, P <0.001), self-observation (r= 0.244, P <0.001),self-reward(r = 0.203, P <0.01), focusing thoughts on natural rewards(r =0.344, P <0.001), self-talk(r = 0.160, P <0.05), evaluating beliefs andassuptions(r = 0.292, P <0.001) were positively correlated with theQOL. ③The multiple regression model that further controlled theinterrelationship between confounding factors and the 9 dimensions ofself-leadership revealed that self-punishment (b'= 0.272, P = 0.007),visualizing successful performance(b’ = 0.269, P = 0.012) and focusing thoughtson natural rewards(b’=-0.301, P = 0.035) are the influencing factors of ASR;self-punishment (b’= -0.327, P = 0.001), focusing thoughts on naturalrewards(b’= 0.516, P = 0.000) were the factors that influence the QOL.

‍Conclusion： Facing COVID-19, frontline medical workers asthe main body of the pandemic prevention and control were in a state of higherstress and lower QOL. Research suggests that medical practitioners can applyself-leadership theory to construct their mental health and positivebehaviours, by focusing thoughts on natural rewards as well as alleviatingself-punishment and successful performance visualization, to release acutestress responses and improve the quality of life.