ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Western studies have found that nurses are likely to experience both positive and negative emotions in their job, as a helping profession [professional quality of life (ProQoL)] during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, and that psychosocial and work-related variables (e.g. pandemic-related stressors, interpersonal and organizational support, coping strategies) are associated with such outcomes. However, relevant studies on nurses in the Asian context are limited. OBJECTIVE: This study examined the psychosocial correlates of three indicators of ProQoL, i.e. compassion satisfaction, secondary traumatic stress (STS), and burnout, among nurses during the fifth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong. METHOD: Nurses in Hong Kong (N = 220) working in hospitals and community settings during the COVID-19 pandemic were recruited between 24 May and 27 June 2022 through nursing associations to complete an online survey measuring the aforementioned psychosocial variables. RESULTS: Hierarchical regression results found that stressors from clinical work environments, insufficient emotional support, and less positive reframing were associated with poorer ProQoL (i.e. lower compassion satisfaction; higher STS and burnout) (ß from 0.16, p > .05, to 0.44, p > .001). In addition, COVID-19-related worries/uncertainties and emotional processing were associated with higher STS (ß from 0.21 to 0.23, p < .01), whereas insufficient organizational support for communication with the healthcare system was associated with higher burnout (ß = 0.12, p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings identified the important psychosocial determinants in ProQoL among nurses in Hong Kong and provide recommendations for services supporting the mental health of these nurses. Providing workshops for nurses to train their skills in coping with COVID-19-related uncertainties, worries, and stressors from the clinical work environment, in using adaptive coping strategies (e.g. positive reframing), and in soliciting emotional support from important others could facilitate their ProQoL. Moreover, the provision of organizational support through timely and transparent communication with the healthcare system could reduce STS in nurses.
Stressors from clinical work environments, insufficient emotional support, and less positive reframing were associated with poorer professional quality of life among nurses in Hong Kong during the COVID-19 pandemic.COVID-19-related worries/uncertainties and emotional processing were associated with higher secondary traumatic stress.Insufficient organizational support for communication with the healthcare system was associated with higher burnout.
Subject(s)
Burnout, Professional , COVID-19 , Nurses , Humans , Hong Kong/epidemiology , Pandemics , Quality of Life/psychology , Burnout, Professional/epidemiology , Burnout, Professional/psychologyABSTRACT
Background Due to active involvement with patients for COVID-19 treatments, nurses are susceptible to adverse psychological outcomes amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the distress, studies have suggested that nurses are able to experience positive changes (i.e. posttraumatic growth;PTG) during the pandemic. Research on other populations has also indicated that COVID-19-specific worries and work-related coping resources are associated with people’s positive changes during the pandemic. Objective This study examined how socio-demographic characteristics, COVID-19-related worries, and work-related variables (satisfaction with work and workplace pandemic guidelines) were associated with PTG among nurses in Hong Kong. Methods Nurses (N = 1510) working in hospitals and community settings were recruited through nursing associations in Hong Kong between 8 August 2020 and 22 September 2020. They were invited to complete a cross-sectional survey measuring their sociodemographic characteristics, COVID-19 worries, and satisfaction with work and workplace pandemic-control measures. Results Results from hierarchical regressions found that those working non-full-time (β = −0.06), affiliating with a religion (β = 0.24), having higher COVID-19-related worries and psychological distress (βs ranging from 0.12–0.15), and having higher work satisfaction (β = 0.14) were associated with higher PTG (ps < .05). Moreover, a significant interaction between psychological distress and satisfaction with workplace pandemic control guidelines emerged in explaining PTG (β = 0.08, p < .05), such that guideline satisfaction was only associated with higher PTG among those with higher distress (β = 0.09, p = .03), but not those with lower distress (β = −0.05, p > .05). Conclusions Nurses in Hong Kong did report positive changes amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Future studies could focus on the contributing factors of PTG to design for effective strategies to enhance resources for nurses to promote positive psychosocial outcomes. HIGHLIGHTS Work satisfaction was associated with nurses’ posttraumatic growth (PTG) amid COVID-19. Workplace pandemic control guidelines satisfaction was associated with PTG only among nurses with higher distress. To enhance nurses’ PTG, those work-related factors should be addressed.
ABSTRACT
Background: Due to active involvement with patients for COVID-19 treatments, nurses are susceptible to adverse psychological outcomes amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the distress, studies have suggested that nurses are able to experience positive changes (i.e. posttraumatic growth; PTG) during the pandemic. Research on other populations has also indicated that COVID-19-specific worries and work-related coping resources are associated with people's positive changes during the pandemic. Objective: This study examined how socio-demographic characteristics, COVID-19-related worries, and work-related variables (satisfaction with work and workplace pandemic guidelines) were associated with PTG among nurses in Hong Kong. Methods: Nurses (N = 1510) working in hospitals and community settings were recruited through nursing associations in Hong Kong between 8 August 2020 and 22 September 2020. They were invited to complete a cross-sectional survey measuring their sociodemographic characteristics, COVID-19 worries, and satisfaction with work and workplace pandemic-control measures. Results: Results from hierarchical regressions found that those working non-full-time (ß = -0.06), affiliating with a religion (ß = 0.24), having higher COVID-19-related worries and psychological distress (ßs ranging from 0.12-0.15), and having higher work satisfaction (ß = 0.14) were associated with higher PTG (ps < .05). Moreover, a significant interaction between psychological distress and satisfaction with workplace pandemic control guidelines emerged in explaining PTG (ß = 0.08, p < .05), such that guideline satisfaction was only associated with higher PTG among those with higher distress (ß = 0.09, p = .03), but not those with lower distress (ß = -0.05, p > .05). Conclusions: Nurses in Hong Kong did report positive changes amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Future studies could focus on the contributing factors of PTG to design for effective strategies to enhance resources for nurses to promote positive psychosocial outcomes.
Antecedentes: Debido a la participación activa de pacientes en los tratamientos de COVID-19, las/os enfermeras son susceptibles a resultados psicológicos adversos en medio de la pandemia de COVID-19. A pesar de la angustia, los estudios han sugerido que las(os) enfermeras(os) pueden experimentar cambios positivos (es decir, crecimiento postraumático; CPT) durante la pandemia. Investigación en otras poblaciones también ha indicado que las preocupaciones específicas por COVID-19 y los recursos de afrontamiento relacionados con el trabajo están asociados a cambios positivos de las personas durante la pandemia.Objetivo: Este estudio examinó cómo las características sociodemográficas, las preocupaciones relacionadas a COVID-19 y las variables relacionadas con el trabajo (satisfacción con el trabajo y pautas pandémicas en el lugar de trabajo) se asociaron con el CPT entre las(os) enfermeras(os) de Hong Kong.Métodos: Las(os) enfermeras(os) (N = 1510) que trabajan en hospitales y entornos comunitarios fueron reclutadas(os) a través de asociaciones de enfermería en Hong Kong entre el 8 de agosto del 2020 y el 22 de septiembre del 2020. Los participantes fueron invitados a completar una encuesta transversal que midió sus características sociodemográficas, preocupaciones sobre COVID-19 y satisfacción con el trabajo y las medidas de control de pandemias en el lugar de trabajo.Resultados: Los resultados de regresiones jerárquicas encontraron que aquellos que: no trabajaban a tiempo completo (ß = −0.06), se afiliaban a una religión (ß = 0.24), tenían mayores preocupaciones y angustia psicológica relacionadas por COVID-19 (ßs que oscilan entre 0.120.15) y tenían una mayor satisfacción laboral (ß = 0.14), se asociaron con CPT más alto (ps < .05). Además, una interacción significativa entre la angustia psicológica y la satisfacción con las pautas de control de la pandemia en el lugar de trabajo, surgió al explicar el CPT (ß = 0.08, p < .05), de modo que la satisfacción de la guía sólo se asoció con un CPT más alto entre aquéllos con mayor angustia (ß = 0.09, p = .03), pero no en aquéllos con menor angustia (ß = −0.05, p > .05).Conclusiones: Las(os) enfermeras(os) en Hong Kong informaron cambios positivos en medio de la pandemia por COVID-19. Los estudios futuros podrían centrarse en los factores que contribuyen a la CPT para diseñar estrategias eficaces con el fin de mejorar los recursos de las(os) enfermeras(os) para promover resultados psicosociales positivos.
Subject(s)
COVID-19/psychology , Nurses/psychology , Posttraumatic Growth, Psychological , Adult , COVID-19/epidemiology , Cross-Sectional Studies , Hong Kong/epidemiology , Humans , Job Satisfaction , Middle Aged , Pandemics , SARS-CoV-2 , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
Background: The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has increased the burden for the medical systems around the world. In Hong Kong, the pandemic not only affects the local populations, but also the healthcare workers. Healthcare workers, especially nurses, involving in COVID-19 treatments are highly susceptible to adverse psychological outcomes (e.g., anxiety symptoms). Studies have shown that socio-demographic characteristics, COVID-19-specific worries, and work settings-related variables are associated with healthcare workers' well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, relevant studies for nurses in Hong Kong are limited. This study examined the psychosocial correlates of anxiety symptoms among nurses in Hong Kong. Methods: Nurses (N = 1,510) working in hospitals and community settings were recruited through nursing associations in Hong Kong between August 8, 2020 and September 22, 2020. They were invited to complete a cross-sectional survey measuring their anxiety symptoms, sociodemographic characteristics, COVID-19-specific worries, and satisfaction with work and workplace pandemic-control guidelines. Results: 17.2% of nurses reported moderate to severe levels of anxiety symptoms. Results from hierarchical regressions found that higher COVID-19-specific worries (contracting COVID-19, family members contracting COVID-19 due to their nursing work, insufficient protective equipment at workplace) (ßs ranged from 0.07 to 0.20, ps < 0.01), higher perceived stigma of being a healthcare worker (ß = 0.18, p < 0.001), and lower work satisfaction (ß = -0.21, p < 0.001) were associated with higher anxiety symptoms. Conclusion: A moderate proportion of nurses in Hong Kong did report levels of anxiety symptoms amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Futures studies could focus on the contributing factors of anxiety symptoms to design for effective strategies to promote nurses' well-being during pandemic situations.