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Increased Substance Use among Nurses during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Author

Listed:
  • Eamonn Arble

    (Department of Psychology, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI 48197, USA)

  • Dana Manning

    (Department of Psychology, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI 48197, USA)

  • Bengt B. Arnetz

    (Department of Family Medicine, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA)

  • Judith E. Arnetz

    (Department of Family Medicine, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA)

Abstract

There is growing evidence that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a severe impact on the nursing profession worldwide. Occupational strain has disrupted nurses’ emotional wellbeing and may have led to negative coping behaviors, such as increased substance use, which could impair cognitive functioning. The aim of this study was to examine whether increased substance use in a sample of U.S. nurses during the pandemic was related to greater workplace cognitive failure. An online questionnaire was administered in May 2020 to Michigan nurses statewide via three nursing organizations (n = 695 respondents). A path model was used to test the direct effects of reported increased substance use on workplace cognitive failure and via parallel psychological mediators. The model had excellent fit to the observed data, with statistically significant, unique mediating effects of greater symptoms of anxiety (b = 0.236, z = 2.22, p = 0.027), posttraumatic stress disorder (b = 0.507, z = 4.62, p < 0.001) and secondary trauma (b = 1.10, z = 2.82, p = 0.005). Importantly, the direct effect of increased substance use on workplace cognitive failure was not statistically significant independent of the mediators (b = 0.133, z = 0.56, p = 0.576; 95% confidence interval: −0.33, 0.60). These results point to the importance of further delineating the mechanistic pathways linking adverse stress to workplace cognitive failure. As we emerge from the pandemic, healthcare systems should focus resources on supporting cognitive health by addressing the psychological and emotional welfare of nurses, many of whom may be struggling with residual trauma and increased substance use.

Suggested Citation

  • Eamonn Arble & Dana Manning & Bengt B. Arnetz & Judith E. Arnetz, 2023. "Increased Substance Use among Nurses during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-13, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:3:p:2674-:d:1055173
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Judith E. Arnetz & Eamonn Arble & Sukhesh Sudan & Bengt B. Arnetz, 2021. "Workplace Cognitive Failure among Nurses during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-15, October.
    2. Trinkoff, A.M. & Storr, C.L., 1998. "Substance use among nurses: Differences between specialties," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 88(4), pages 581-585.
    3. Judith E. Arnetz & Courtney M. Goetz & Bengt B. Arnetz & Eamonn Arble, 2020. "Nurse Reports of Stressful Situations during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Qualitative Analysis of Survey Responses," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-12, November.
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