Relationship Between Spiritual Health and Anxiety in Nurses Caring for Patients with COVID-19

Abstract

Background: The global outbreak of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) has resulted in significant mental and emotional distress, including anxiety, among healthcare workers due to the nature of the disease and its rapid spread. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the association between spiritual health and anxiety in nurses caring for patients with COVID-19. Methods: This descriptive-correlational study was conducted on all nurses who worked at hospitals affiliated with the Alborz University of Medical Sciences during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021. A total of 153 nurses were selected using convenience sampling, and they completed the Paloutzian & Ellison standard spiritual health questionnaire and Beck Anxiety Inventory, both electronically and offline. Descriptive and inferential statistics, such as the Pearson and Spearman correlation and multiple regression, were employed to analyze the data. All statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS version 26. Results: Most nurses (99.3%) had average to high levels of spiritual health, and only 0.7% had low spiritual health. Most (54.9%) reported no or mild anxiety. An inverse correlation was observed between spiritual health and anxiety (P < 0.001, r = -0.464). Additionally, a significant negative correlation was found between religious health (P < 0.001, r = -0.321) and existential health (P < 0.001, r = -0.496) dimensions of spiritual health and COVID-19-related anxiety. The results of multiple regression analysis demonstrated that anxiety levels could be predicted by spiritual health and its dimensions. Conclusions: The present study suggests nurses can manage their anxiety through good spiritual health. Hospital managers and officials should take measures to strengthen nurses' spiritual well-being and reduce their anxiety levels.