Authors: Dr Mamta Vyas, Research Scholar Faseeha E
Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic posed unprecedented challenges for frontline healthcare workers, who were placed under extreme physical, emotional, and psychological pressure. This qualitative study, titled "Managing the Pressure: Stress and Adaptive Behaviours in Frontline Healthcare Workers During COVID-19," aimed to explore how healthcare workers managed stress and developed adaptive coping behaviours in high-risk environments. Using document analysis as the primary research method, a wide range of peer-reviewed studies, healthcare reports, and qualitative accounts from 2020 to 2024 were examined to identify recurring themes related to stress responses, coping strategies, and institutional support. The findings reveal that frontline healthcare workers faced profound emotional and social challenges including anxiety, fear of infection, burnout, and social stigma. Despite these adversities, many demonstrated resilience through both internal mechanisms—such as self-care, emotional regulation, and intrinsic motivation—and external supports including peer solidarity, social networks, and limited organizational assistance. However, systemic limitations like time constraints, inadequate managerial support, and poor mental health infrastructure hindered sustained coping. The study concludes that understanding the lived experiences of healthcare workers is vital for developing informed, long-term mental health strategies and for building resilient healthcare systems capable of withstanding future public health emergencies.
