RESUMEN
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effect of coping strategies, social support and personality factors, such as locus of control and type A behavior on occupational stress in nurses.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Descriptive correlation research method was used in this investigation. One thousand nine hundred and one nurses were included by using instruments of Occupational Stress Instrument, and these nurses were divided into four groups according to the scores of occupational stress.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were significant differences in general health status, coping strategies, social support, type A behavior and locus of control in the 4 groups (P < 0.05). The level of individual occupational stress increased with the fall of the scores of coping strategies, social support and with the elevation of type A behavior, locus of control and general health. Occupational stress had negative relation with coping strategies, social support, and positive relation with personalities and general bad health.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The level of occupational stress is affected by coping strategies, social support, type A behavior and locus of control.</p>