Risk and protective factors for depression and anxiety in professionals supporting victims of child abuse during the covid-19 crisis

The covid-19 crisis has challenged the well-being of professionals supporting abused children. The effects of some risk (i.e., number of nearby infected people and telecommuting and housework hours per day) and protective (i.e., social support, self-efficacy, and self-care) factors on depression and anxiety symptoms were tested in professionals supporting child-abuse victims in Chile during the covid-19 crisis. Professionals (N = 175) answered self-reports. Having infected people nearby and social support predicted depression. The effect of social support on depression was partially mediated by self-efficacy and self-care. The effect of social support on anxiety was completely mediated by self-care. Results show that social and psychological variables are relevant to understand depression and anxiety symptoms in professionals even during the covid-19 crisis.