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Portuguese Nurses’ Stress, Anxiety, and Depression Reduction Strategies during the COVID-19 Outbreak

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  • Lara Guedes de Pinho

    (S. João de Deus School of Nursing, University of Évora, 7000-811 Évora, Portugal
    Comprehensive Health Research Centre (CHRC), 7000-811 Évora, Portugal)

  • Francisco Sampaio

    (Faculty of Health Sciences, University Fernando Pessoa, 4200-253 Porto, Portugal
    “NursID: Innovation & Development in Nursing”, Center for Health Technology and Services Research, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal)

  • Carlos Sequeira

    (“NursID: Innovation & Development in Nursing”, Center for Health Technology and Services Research, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
    Nursing School of Porto, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal)

  • Laetitia Teixeira

    (Abel Salazar Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
    “AgeingC: AgeingCluster”, Center for Health Technology and Services Research, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal)

  • César Fonseca

    (S. João de Deus School of Nursing, University of Évora, 7000-811 Évora, Portugal
    Comprehensive Health Research Centre (CHRC), 7000-811 Évora, Portugal)

  • Manuel José Lopes

    (S. João de Deus School of Nursing, University of Évora, 7000-811 Évora, Portugal
    Comprehensive Health Research Centre (CHRC), 7000-811 Évora, Portugal)

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to mental health problems worldwide. Nurses are particularly prone to stress because they directly care for individuals with suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19. The aims of this study were (a) to explore the association between the mental health promotion strategies used by nurses during the COVID-19 outbreak and their symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress; (b) to compare the symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress of mental health nurses to those of non-mental health nurses; and (c) to compare the frequency of use of mental health strategies of mental health nurses to those of non-mental health nurses. A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 821 nurses. Univariate and multivariate regression models were developed to identify potential protective factors of depression, anxiety, and stress. The chi-square test was also used to compare the use of strategies among mental health and non-mental health nurses. Portuguese nurses demonstrated high symptoms of depressive symptoms, stress, and anxiety. Healthy eating, physical activity, rest between shifts, maintaining social contacts, verbalizing feelings/emotions, and spending less time searching for information about COVID-19 were associated with better mental health. Mental health nurses had less depression, anxiety, and stress, and used more strategies to promote mental health than other nurses. We consider it important to promote nurses’ mental health literacy by encouraging them to develop skills and strategies aimed at improving their resilience and ability to deal with difficult situations while caring for the population.

Suggested Citation

  • Lara Guedes de Pinho & Francisco Sampaio & Carlos Sequeira & Laetitia Teixeira & César Fonseca & Manuel José Lopes, 2021. "Portuguese Nurses’ Stress, Anxiety, and Depression Reduction Strategies during the COVID-19 Outbreak," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-11, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:7:p:3490-:d:525391
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    4. Yingfei Zhang & Zheng Feei Ma, 2020. "Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Mental Health and Quality of Life among Local Residents in Liaoning Province, China: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-12, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Francisco Sampaio & Susana Gaspar & César Fonseca & Manuel José Lopes & Teresa Paiva & Lara Guedes de Pinho, 2023. "Sleep Quality between Nurses and the General Population during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Portugal: What Are the Differences?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(8), pages 1-10, April.
    2. Ester Sierra-García & Eva María Sosa-Palanca & Carlos Saus-Ortega & Antonio Ruiz-Hontangas & Raúl Juárez-Vela & Vicente Gea-Caballero, 2022. "Modulating Elements of Nurse Resilience in Population Care during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-20, April.
    3. Mariela Loreto Lara-Cabrera & Moisés Betancort & C. Amparo Muñoz-Rubilar & Natalia Rodríguez Novo & Carlos De las Cuevas, 2021. "The Mediating Role of Resilience in the Relationship between Perceived Stress and Mental Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-10, September.
    4. Natascha Mojtahedzadeh & Felix Alexander Neumann & Elisabeth Rohwer & Albert Nienhaus & Matthias Augustin & Volker Harth & Birgit-Christiane Zyriax & Stefanie Mache, 2021. "The Health Behaviour of German Outpatient Caregivers in Relation to the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Mixed-Methods Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-30, August.
    5. Francisco Sampaio & Ricardo Salgado & Matteo Antonini & Philippe Delmas & Annie Oulevey Bachmann & Ingrid Gilles & Claudia Ortoleva Bucher, 2022. "Workplace Wellbeing and Quality of Life Perceived by Portuguese Nurses during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Role of Protective Factors and Stressors," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-13, October.
    6. Inna Reddy Edara & Fides del Castillo & Gregory Siy Ching & Clarence Darro del Castillo, 2021. "Religiosity, Emotions, Resilience, and Wellness during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Study of Taiwanese University Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(12), pages 1-21, June.
    7. Elisabeth Rohwer & Natascha Mojtahedzadeh & Felix Alexander Neumann & Albert Nienhaus & Matthias Augustin & Volker Harth & Birgit-Christiane Zyriax & Stefanie Mache, 2021. "The Role of Health Literacy among Outpatient Caregivers during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-25, November.

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