Development and verification of a two-factor model of mental health for medical workers after occupational exposure

[Objective] To explore the mental health status of medical personnel after occupational exposure by establishing two-factor mental health model, in order to provide empirical evidence for accurate assessment and graded intervention in the future. [Methods] From October 2019 to October 2022, convenient sampling method was used to conduct a questionnaire survey on mental symptom self-rating scale and life satisfaction scale in 54 medical personnel with occupational exposure in the Sixth People's Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed to validate the two-factor model of mental health in medical personnel following occupational exposure. According to the classification of “four-point theory”, the subjects were categorized into healthy, susceptible individuals, subhealthy, and individuals with psychological disorder. The life satisfaction and self-assessment of mental symptoms were compared among the four categories of individuals. [Results] The fit indices of the two-factor model for occupational exposure-related mental health among healthcare workers were superior to those of the single-factor model. In the two-factor model, the fit indices were as follows: χ2/df = 1.450, GFI = 0.793, AGFI = 0.690, NFI = 0.884, CFI = 0.960, and RMSEA = 0.092. Among the participants, 41 cases (75.93%) were classified as having complete mental health, 7 cases (12.96%) as vulnerable, 4 cases (7.41%) as partially symptomatic, and 2 cases (3.70%) as fully symptomatic. Statistically significant differences (both P<0.01) were observed in life satisfaction and psychoticism scores across the four mental health categories. [Conclusions] The two-factor model of occupational exposure-related mental health in healthcare workers provides a comprehensive distinction between mental illness and health, allowing for more specific classification of psychological states. Based on the status of positive mental health, limited resources can be allocated more rationally, enabling hospitals to implement more precise and effective interventions, thereby reducing the occurrence of psychological crises.