Perceived Stress and Coping Strategies of Nurses Working in the Emergency Service During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to investigate the perceived stress and coping styles of the nurses working in the emergency service during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: The study population consisted of the nurses in the emergency service of the A Hospital, who met the research inclusion criteria between April 15th, 2021, and May 1st, 2021 (N:179). Without any sample selection, 156 nurses who agreed to participate voluntarily in the research were included in the study sample. Research data were collected using the survey program online, taking into account the COVID-19 conditions and the intensity of work in the emergency service. Permission of the Ministry of Health and approval of the ethics committee (no:B.30.2.ATA.0.01.00/) were obtained before conducting the study. Results: The Perceived Stress Scale scores of the nurses working in the emergency service were found to be above the average (avg.value:26). In addition, of the Ways of Coping Questionnaire sub-scales, the Optimistic Approach, Self-Confident Approach, Seeking Social Support Approach sub-scale scores were found to decrease with the increase in the Perceived Stress Scale scores, whereas the Helpless Approach and Submissive Approach sub-scale scores were found to increase significantly with increasing Perceived Stress Scale scores (p<0.05). In addition, the study suggests that there is a positive and significant relationship between the Perceived Stress Scale scores and the Ways of Coping Questionnaire scores of the nurses (p<0.05).Conclusions: The perceived stress level score of the emergency service nurses was found to be above average, and the Optimistic Approach, Self-Confident Approach, Seeking Social Support Approach sub-scale scores were found to decrease with the increase in the Perceived Stress Scale scores, but the Helpless Approach and Submissive Approach sub-scale scores were found to increase with increasing Perceived Stress Scale scores.