Status and associated factors of psychological resilience of Chinese medical aid team members under public health emergencies in a cross-sectional study

PMCID: PMC12173397

PMID: 40526630

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0324952

Journal: PloS one

Publication Date: 2025-6-17

Authors: Wei X, Liang Y, Huang J

Key Points

• Psychological resilience is significantly influenced by professional experience, family support, and cultural adaptation
• 53.9% of CMATMs reported experiencing loneliness, which negatively impacted psychological resilience
• Healthcare administrators should implement regular mental health assessments and support mechanisms for international medical aid workers

Summary

This study investigated the psychological resilience of Chinese Medical Aid Team Members (CMATMs) during foreign health aid missions, revealing critical insights into the mental health challenges faced by healthcare professionals in high-stress international environments. Using comprehensive psychological assessments, researchers examined the factors influencing resilience among 89 aid workers, finding that the total psychological resilience score was 72.53 ± 13.48, generally indicating a good adaptive capacity.

The research identified multiple significant predictors of psychological resilience, including professional title, family support, cultural adaptation, and participation in public health emergency missions. Notably, self-efficacy demonstrated a strong positive correlation with psychological resilience, while anxiety and depression showed negative correlations. The findings underscore the complex psychological landscape of international medical aid workers and highlight the need for targeted mental health support and intervention strategies.