This research sought to examine the relationships among sense of coherence, work engagement, and psychological distress among medical staff in Ecuador during the initial stage of the COVID-19 outbreak. An observational cross-sectional investigation was carried out involving 803 medical personnel from various areas across Ecuador, from April 2 to May 17, 2020. Data were gathered via an online questionnaire that included details on demographics and workplace conditions, along with the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-9), General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), and Sense of Coherence Scale (SOC-13). Average scores were as follows: sense of coherence (M = 65.04; SD = 12.74), work engagement (M = 39.36; SD = 10.53), and psychological distress (M = 4.58; SD = 3.44). Significant positive links (p < 0.01) were observed between sense of coherence and work engagement, while negative associations emerged with psychological distress. In the course of the outbreak in Ecuador, medical staff experienced substantial declines in mental well-being. Sense of coherence showed connections to both work engagement and psychological distress. Participants reported declines in care quality and employment conditions relative to pre-COVID-19 levels.
