Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic is likely to cause mental health issues, especially for healthcare professionals. The aim of this study was to investigate levels of perceived stress, insomnia, and the sense of family support among nurses in pandemic conditions. We administered in a sample of 150 nurses from different hospital departments during the COVID-19 pandemic the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and Family Support Scale (FSS). Individual and demographic data were recorded. In total, 120 women and 30 men completed the study questionnaires. Almost half of the participants (49.7%) reported the presence of insomnia and more than half (50.3%) experienced increased stress levels. Scores on the Athens Insomnia Scale correlated positively with Perceived Stress Scale scores (p < 0.01), and negatively with Family Support Scale scores (p < 0.01). Significantly negative correlations were observed among scores on the Perceived Stress Scale and the Family Support Scale (p < 0.01). The regression models revealed that ‘scores on Perceived Stress Scale’ and ‘years of work experience’ were significant predictors of ‘scores on Athens Insomnia Scale’, each explaining 43.6% and 2.3% of the variance. ‘Scores on Athens Insomnia Scale’ and ‘scores on Family Support Scale’ were significant predictors of ‘scores on Perceived Stress Scale’, explaining 43.7% and 9.2% of the variance. In conclusion, we confirmed that working with COVID-19 patients has a negative impact on the sleep of nurses, possibly mediated by increased levels of stress. Family support, as a protective factor, appears to moderate the deleterious consequences of stress.
Highlights
Since December 2019, the whole world has been experiencing an unprecedented situation due to the emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), causing the pandemic of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
Results from the linear regression analysis in this study suggested that the effect of the coronavirus outbreak on sleep difficulties has partly been mediated by stress
The findings from this study showed that family support of the nursing staff did not directly influence rates of insomnia but followed an indirect pathway via stress
Summary
Since December 2019, the whole world has been experiencing an unprecedented situation due to the emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), causing the pandemic of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Inadequate protection from contamination, increased workload, discrimination, isolation, and uncertainty about the outcomes of the pandemic are all expected to impose stress upon healthcare workers, seriously affecting mental health, including sleep hygiene [2]. Healthcare 2020, 8, 434 and a reduced risk of injuries and fatigue-related errors [4]. Medical and nursing staff are usually exposed to shifts and long working hours. These demanding occupational programs contribute to employee sleep disorders [5]
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