Factors Associated with Job Stress and Their Effects on Mental Health among Nurses in COVID-19 Wards in Four Hospitals in Korea

Increased workload during the COVID-19 pandemic has threatened nurses' mental health. This study aimed to identify factors associated with job stress in COVID-19 nurses compared to other nurses. Nurses were recruited from four hospitals in Republic of Korea in November 2020. The general sociodemographic questionnaire, job stress, anxiety (GAD-7), and depression (PHQ-9) were used to conduct an online survey. Stepwise multiple regression analysis was used to identify the factors associated with job stress. A total of 290 participants were analyzed: 122 in the dedicated ward and 168 in the nondedicated ward nurse groups. Job stress, anxiety, and depression were higher in nurses dedicated to COVID-19 (4.19 +/- 0.59, 5.98 +/- 3.92, and 6.97 +/- 4.47, respectively) than in the nondedicated group (3.92 +/- 0.72 (p = 0.001), 4.98 +/- 4.20 (p = 0.042), and 5.92 +/- 4.36 (p = 0.047), respectively). Among COVID-19 nurses, job stress levels were higher in 30-39 year olds than in 20-29 year olds (3.71 +/- 0.43 vs. 4.04 +/- 0.54, p = 0.006) and in non-smokers compared with smokers (3.85 +/- 0.49 vs. 3.38 +/- 0.53, p = 0.24). Anxiety (beta = 0.34, standard error (SE) = 0.01, p < 0.001) and clinical experience of 5-10 years ( beta = 0.23, SE = 0.10, p = 0.004) were associated with job stress. These findings can be applied when devising response strategies for infectious diseases and developing psychological and organizational intervention programs for alleviating job stress in nurses.

Automated summary

Increased workload during the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected the mental health of nurses. This study aimed to identify the factors associated with job stress in COVID-19 nurses compared to other nurses in South Korea. The results showed that job stress, anxiety, and depression were higher in nurses dedicated to COVID-19. Age, smoking status, anxiety, and clinical experience were found to be associated with job stress.