The Mental Health of Essential Medical and Non-Medical Frontline Workers amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Quantitative Comparative Study

The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the link between workplace conditions, mental health, and employee well-being. This study examined whether perceived supervisor support and fear of infection predicted depression scores among 339 participants using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS). Hierarchical and multiple regression analyses revealed that supervisor support and fear of infection collectively explained 10.1% of the variance in depression scores (p p p p p < 0.01). The sample predominantly comprised healthcare workers, highlighting their vulnerability during public health crises. While the variance explained was modest, all relationships were statistically significant, emphasizing the importance of workplace support systems. Practical implications include fostering supervisor support and implementing proactive mental health initiatives to reduce fear and depression, particularly in healthcare settings during emergencies.