This cross-sectional study in Serbia investigated the relationship between mentalizing capacity, resilience, and mental health (depression, anxiety, stress) among 406 healthcare workers (HCWs) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using the DASS-42, RFQ-8, and BRS, results showed negative correlations between resilience and mental health dimensions, with hypermentalizing negatively correlated and hypomentalizing positively correlated with mental health issues. Hierarchical regression analysis confirmed resilience and hypermentalizing as negative predictors, and hypomentalizing as a positive predictor of depression, anxiety, and stress. Socioeconomic status also negatively predicted mental health problems. The study highlights the importance of fostering resilience and enhancing mentalizing capacity to mitigate the negative mental health effects on HCWs.

Teodora Safiye, Medo Gutić, Jakša Dubljanin, Tamara M Stojanović, Draško Dubljanin, Andreja Kovačević, Milena Zlatanović, Denis H Demirović, Nemanja Nenezić, Ardea Milidrag