Predictors of poor mental health among nurses during COVID‐19 pandemic

Kim, Son Chae; Quiban, Carlota; Sloan, Christine; Montejano, Anna

AIMS: To examine the impact of various factors affecting nurses' mental health during the COVID‐19 pandemic. DESIGN: An online cross‐sectional study. METHODS: Registered nurses who graduated from a nursing school in Southern California, USA, participated in the study from 20 April–10 May 2020 (N = 320). Kendall's tau correlations and multivariate logistic regression procedures were performed with stress, anxiety and depression as outcome variables. RESULTS: Most nurses reported moderate/high stress (80.1%), while 43% and 26% reported moderate/severe anxiety and depression, respectively. COVID‐19 patient care was positively associated with moderate/severe high stress (OR = 2.25; p = .012) and moderate/severe anxiety (OR = 3.04; p < .001), whereas quarantine was associated with moderate/severe depression (OR = 2.68; p < .001). High levels of family functioning, resilience and spirituality predicted two‐ to sixfold lower odds of moderate/severe stress, anxiety or depression. High resilience, spirituality and family functioning appear to be good coping mechanisms for nurses against stress, anxiety and depression during the pandemic.