Relationship between the anxiety levels and coping attitudes of nurses working in a training hospital

Abstract

Several studies have shown that stress due to workplace is common among nurses. In this study, we aimed to assess coping attitudes of nurses working in a university hospital according to their anxiety levels and to reveal the relationship between them. Eighty nurses working at Gulhane Military Faculty of Medicine Training Hospital and who has no psychiatric complaints were enrolled. All participants completed sociodemographic data form and self-reported Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and Coping Attitudes Scale (COPE). Then the study group was divided into two groups according to their BAI scores. The relationship between anxiety levels and COPE subscale scores of the two groups was assessed. In the statistical analyses, for the comparisons of continuous variables between the two groups the Mann-Whitney U test was used. Significance level was set at p < 0.05. It was found that in the group of high level anxiety, active coping subscale scores of problem-focused coping were lower than the group with lower levels of anxiety. Denial and focus on and venting of emotions subscale scores of dysfunctional coping subscale were also found to be higher in the group of high level anxiety. According to the findings of this study, dysfunctional coping attitudes may be associated with anxiety symptoms. We concluded that determination of work-related stresses of nurses and coping with these stress situations by regulating the work conditions with specific intervals might be beneficial in terms of productivity. Further researches with larger sample size would provide more meaningful information on this subject.