The association between fear of COVID-19 and mental health: The mediating roles of burnout and job stress among emergency nursing staff

Aim: This current study examined the mediation roles of burnout and job stress in the association between fear of COVID-19 and mental health among emergency nurses. Design: Cross-sectional survey. Design: Cross-sectional survey. Methods: A total of 516 emergency nurses with a mean age of 41.18 (SD = 8.24), mostly females (76.16%) and married (78.9%) responded to measures on fear of COVID-19, burnout, job stress and mental health between 15 September and 7 November 2020. Results: There was a significantly direct effect between (a) fear of COVID-19 and mental health, (b) fear of COVID-19 and mediators (burnout and job stress) and (c) mediators (burnout and job stress) and mental health. Also, there was a significantly indirect effect between fear of COVID-19 and mental health through job stress, burnout or both. Conclusions: Fear of COVID-19 directly and indirectly influenced the mental health of emergency nurses. Therefore, hospital authorities should provide sufficient resources to allay the fears of nurses during this COVID-19 pandemic period.

Automated summary

This study found that the mental health of emergency nurses is directly and indirectly affected by fear of COVID-19. It is recommended that hospital authorities allocate more resources to help nurses cope with their fears during the pandemic.