COVID‐19 anxiety among frontline nurses: predictive role of organisational support, personal resilience and social support

Labrague, Leodoro J.; de los Santos, Janet

AIM: This study examines the relative influence of personal resilience, social support and organisational support in reducing COVID‐19 anxiety in frontline nurses. BACKGROUND: Anxiety related to the COVID‐19 pandemic is prevalent in the nursing workforce, potentially affecting nurses’ well‐being and work performance. Identifying factors that could help maintain mental health and reduce coronavirus‐related anxiety among frontline nurses is imperative. Currently, no studies have been conducted examining the influence of personal resilience, social support and organisational support in reducing COVID‐19 anxiety among nurses. METHODS: This cross‐sectional study involved 325 registered nurses from the Philippines using four standardised scales. RESULTS: Of the 325 nurses in the study, 123 (37.8%) were found to have dysfunctional levels of anxiety. Using multiple linear regression analyses, social support (β = ‐0.142, p = 0.011), personal resilience (β = ‐0.151, p = 0.008) and organisational support (β = ‐0.127, p = 0.023) predicted COVID‐19 anxiety. Nurse characteristics were not associated with COVID‐19 anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: Resilient nurses and those who perceived higher organisational and social support were more likely to report lower anxiety related to COVID‐19. IMPLICATION FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: COVID‐19 anxiety may be addressed through organisational interventions, including increasing social support, assuring adequate organisational support, providing psychological and mental support services and providing resilience‐promoting and stress management interventions.