Correlation between psychological status and social support in non-anti-epidemic clinical nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional observational study

ABSTRACT

Objectives: To explore the psychological status and perceived social support in non-anti-epidemic clinical nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic and the correlation between these two factors. Methods: Data of nonanti-epidemic clinical nurses from medical institutions in Nantong City of Jiangsu Province were collected using the Psychological Questionnaire for Emergent Events of Public Health (PQEEPH) and the Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS) from February to March, 2020. Results: A total of 1,187 non-anti-epidemic clinical nurses were included into this study. The scores of the following dimensions in PQEEPH ranked from highest to lowest depression (0.52±0.02) points, neurasthenia (0.37±0.01) points, fear (0.87±0.02) points, obsession-anxiety (0.24±0.01) points, and hypochondriasis (0.25±0.01) points. The total PSSS score was 63.46 points, of which, the scores of family support, friend support and other support were (21.89±4.27), (21.25±4.16) and (20.32±4.18) points respectively, indicating that these three factors had a negative correlation with emotional response. Conclusions: Non-anti-epidemic clinical nurses experience a negative psychological state during the COVID-19 pandemic and experience great support from family and friends.