Journal of Clinical Nursing (JCN)The Relationship of Nurses’ Psychological Well-being with Their Coronaphobia and Work–life Balance During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-sectional Study

COVID-19, as we know, is a global health crisis that has had a significant impact on the mental health of nurses. Until now, no studies were available on factors affecting the psychological well-being of nurses in Turkey during the pandemic. These insights are crucial because any impairments to nurses’ psychological well-being can negatively affect both the quality of care they provide and their overall performance.

In an effort to fill this knowledge gap, the study used a descriptive, correlational, and cross-sectional design. By adhering to the STROBE reporting guideline checklist, the researchers meticulously compiled their findings.

A sample of 295 nurses from a Health Application and Research Center in Turkey, who voluntarily participated through social media tools, formed the study group. Data collection occurred between June and August 2020 using Google forms. Instruments employed included a Sociodemographic Characteristics Form, the COVID-19 Phobia Scale (C19P-S), the Work-Life Balance (WLB) Scale, and the Psychological Well-Being (PWB) Scale. The team employed stepwise multiple linear regression analysis to pinpoint factors affecting psychological well-being.

Unsurprisingly, the study found that both the work-life balance and psychological well-being of nurses were negatively affected during the COVID-19 pandemic. Most nurses exhibited mild-to-moderate levels of COVID-19 phobia. Among the factors impacting nurses’ psychological well-being, neglecting life outside of work appeared most significant, followed by coronaphobia and work-life balance. Together, these variables explained 75% of the variation in psychological well-being.

Drawing from these results, the study concludes that nurses’ coronaphobia and work-life balance are closely tied to their psychological well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. Consequently, measures such as adjusting working hours, offering education, counseling, and psychotherapy to decrease COVID-19 phobia, and addressing work-life imbalance are crucial.

In practical terms, this means nursing managers, peers, and organizations need to acknowledge nurses’ negative emotions and behaviors, create safe spaces for meaningful conversations, and provide training to help them manage their fears and maintain clear communication. Regular mental health screenings, the provision of psychological support when needed, and the arrangement of appropriate shifts and breaks are all necessary steps to ensure a balanced work-life. Emotional support from families and friends can also have a positive impact. By implementing these measures and regulations, we can improve the psychological well-being of our nurses, ultimately enhancing the quality of care and nursing performance.