TY - JOUR
T1 - A descriptive analysis of nurses' self-reported mental health symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic
T2 - An international study
AU - Squires, Allison
AU - Dutton, Hillary J.
AU - Casales-Hernandez, Maria Guadalupe
AU - Rodriguez López, Javier Isidro
AU - Jimenez-Sanchez, Juana
AU - Saldarriaga-Dixon, Paola
AU - Bernal Cespedes, Cornelia
AU - Flores, Yesenia
AU - Arteaga Cordova, Maryuri Ibeth
AU - Castillo, Gabriela
AU - Loza Sosa, Jannette Marga
AU - Garcia, Julio
AU - Ramirez, Taycia
AU - González-Nahuelquin, Cibeles
AU - Amaya, Teresa
AU - Guedes Dos Santos, Jose Luis
AU - Muñoz Rojas, Derby
AU - Buitrago-Malaver, Lilia Andrea
AU - Rojas-Pineda, Fiorella Jackeline
AU - Alvarez Watson, Jose Luis
AU - Gómez Del Pulgar, Mercedes
AU - Anyorikeya, Maria
AU - Bilgin, Hulya
AU - Blaževičienė, Aurelija
AU - Buranda, Lucky Sarjono
AU - Castillo, Theresa P.
AU - Cedeño Tapia, Stefanía Johanna
AU - Chiappinotto, Stefania
AU - Damiran, Dulamsuren
AU - Duka, Blerina
AU - Ejupi, Vlora
AU - Ismail, Mohamed Jama
AU - Khatun, Shanzida
AU - Koy, Virya
AU - Lee, Seung Eun
AU - Lee, Taewha
AU - Lickiewicz, Jakub
AU - Macijauskienė, Jūratė
AU - Malinowska-Lipien, Iwona
AU - Nantsupawat, Apiradee
AU - Nashwan, Abdulqadir J.
AU - Ahmed, Fadumo Osman
AU - Ozakgul, Aylin
AU - Paarima, Yennuten
AU - Palese, Alvisa
AU - Ramirez, Veronica E.
AU - Tsuladze, Alisa
AU - Tulek, Zeliha
AU - Uchaneishvili, Maia
AU - Wekem Kukeba, Margaret
AU - Yanjmaa, Enkhjargal
AU - Patel, Honey
AU - Ma, Zhongyue
AU - Goldsamt, Lloyd A.
AU - Jones, Simon
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2025 International Council of Nurses.
PY - 2025/3/1
Y1 - 2025/3/1
N2 - AIM: To describe the self-reported mental health of nurses from 35 countries who worked during the COVID-19 pandemic. BACKGROUND: There is little occupationally specific data about nurses' mental health worldwide. Studies have documented the impact on nurses' mental health of the COVID-19 pandemic, but few have baseline referents. METHODS: A descriptive, cross-sectional design structured the study. Data reflect a convenience sample of 9,387 participants who completed the opt-in survey between July 31, 2022, and October 31, 2023. Descriptive statistics were run to analyze the following variables associated with mental health: Self-reports of mental health symptoms, burnout, personal losses during the pandemic, access to mental health services, and self-care practices used to cope with pandemic-related stressors. Reporting of this study was steered by the STROBE guideline for quantitative studies. RESULTS: Anxiety or depression occurred at rates ranging from 23%-61%, with country-specific trends in reporting observed. Approximately 18% of the sample reported experiencing some symptoms of burnout. The majority of nurses' employers did not provide mental health support in the workplace. Most reported more frequently engaging with self-care practices compared with before the pandemic. Notably, 20% of nurses suffered the loss of a family member, 35% lost a friend, and 34% a coworker due to COVID-19. Nearly half (48%) reported experiencing public aggression due to their identity as a nurse. CONCLUSIONS: The data obtained establish a basis for understanding the specific mental health needs of the nursing workforce globally, highlighting key areas for service development. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING POLICY: Healthcare organizations and governmental bodies need to develop targeted mental health support programs that are readily accessible to nurses to foster a resilient nursing workforce.
AB - AIM: To describe the self-reported mental health of nurses from 35 countries who worked during the COVID-19 pandemic. BACKGROUND: There is little occupationally specific data about nurses' mental health worldwide. Studies have documented the impact on nurses' mental health of the COVID-19 pandemic, but few have baseline referents. METHODS: A descriptive, cross-sectional design structured the study. Data reflect a convenience sample of 9,387 participants who completed the opt-in survey between July 31, 2022, and October 31, 2023. Descriptive statistics were run to analyze the following variables associated with mental health: Self-reports of mental health symptoms, burnout, personal losses during the pandemic, access to mental health services, and self-care practices used to cope with pandemic-related stressors. Reporting of this study was steered by the STROBE guideline for quantitative studies. RESULTS: Anxiety or depression occurred at rates ranging from 23%-61%, with country-specific trends in reporting observed. Approximately 18% of the sample reported experiencing some symptoms of burnout. The majority of nurses' employers did not provide mental health support in the workplace. Most reported more frequently engaging with self-care practices compared with before the pandemic. Notably, 20% of nurses suffered the loss of a family member, 35% lost a friend, and 34% a coworker due to COVID-19. Nearly half (48%) reported experiencing public aggression due to their identity as a nurse. CONCLUSIONS: The data obtained establish a basis for understanding the specific mental health needs of the nursing workforce globally, highlighting key areas for service development. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING POLICY: Healthcare organizations and governmental bodies need to develop targeted mental health support programs that are readily accessible to nurses to foster a resilient nursing workforce.
KW - COVID‐19
KW - global health
KW - health workforce
KW - nursing
KW - nursing shortage
KW - occupational health
KW - occupational health nursing
KW - pandemics
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85217190346&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/inr.13099
DO - 10.1111/inr.13099
M3 - Article
C2 - 39871528
AN - SCOPUS:85217190346
SN - 1466-7657
VL - 72
SP - e13099
JO - International nursing review
JF - International nursing review
IS - 1
ER -
