The Relationship between COVID-19 Anxiety and Student Nurses’ Perceived Health, Sleep Quality, and Psychological Well-being

Abstract

Objectives. To determine the level of COVID-19 anxiety among Filipino nursing students and its predictors, and its associations with their perceived health, sleep quality, and psychological wellbeing Methods. The study employed a cross-sectional design that administered a survey among selected nursing students in the Central Philippines through purposive sampling. We used self-report questionnaires, such as the COVID-19 Anxiety Scale, the Perceived Stress Scale, and the Psychological Well-Being Scale, and one-item measures for perceived health and quality of sleep. Results. Out of 261 participants, more than half reported dysfunctional anxiety symptoms. Multiple regression analyses revealed that being of male sex and in the fourth-year level in the Nursing program was associated with lower COVID-19 anxiety. Further, nursing students who rated high in perceived health, sleep quality, and psychological wellbeing were more likely to report lower COVID-19 anxiety levels. Conclusion. Nursing students’ levels of COVID-19 anxiety indicate that the COVID-19 pandemic has psychologically affected this vulnerable group. COVID-19 anxiety can lead to poor sleep quality and psychological wellbeing. Nursing education authorities must formulate measures and strategies to protect the psychological welfare of nursing students against COVID-19.