Psychological impact of COVID-19 on nursing personnel: A regional online survey.

AIMS

This study investigated mental health reactions to dealing with COVID-19 in a population of nurses working in a variety of settings. The study attempted to expand our current understanding of the psychological reactions unique to nurses working during the highly stressful period of the COVID-19 pandemic.

DESIGN

The study used an online questionnaire design.

METHODS

Nurses were recruited using social media via an electronic link between July and September 2020. Of them, 112 nursing professionals completed the 66-item questionnaire.

RESULTS

Significant findings included the presence of moderate or greater levels of anxiety (62%), depression (31%), and posttraumatic stress disorder (15%) and with significantly greater intrusive thoughts and memories for nurses who provided direct patient care than those who did not. Nurses with a prior history of anxiety or depression were found to be at greater risk for psychological distress. Results further highlighted concerns and fears related to coronavirus in both their daily personal and professional lives.

CONCLUSION

The use of standard, commonly used, measures of psychological disorders allow for a more precise comparison among studies both for this population at the time of the survey and over a period of time.

IMPACT

Suggestions for helping nursing professionals identify nurses at risk and improved ways to cope and deal with adverse psychological effects are discussed.