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Perceived Stress and Coping Behavior of Nurses Caring for Critical Patients with COVID-19 Outbreak in Taiwan: A Mixed-Methods Study

Author

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  • Shu-Yen Lee

    (School of Nursing, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 11420, Taiwan
    Department of Nursing, Tri-Service General Hospital, Taipei 11420, Taiwan
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Kai-Jo Chiang

    (School of Nursing, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 11420, Taiwan
    Department of Nursing, Tri-Service General Hospital Songshan Branch, Taipei 10530, Taiwan
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Yi-Jiun Tsai

    (School of Nursing, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 11420, Taiwan)

  • Chi-Kang Lin

    (Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 11420, Taiwan)

  • Yun-Ju Wang

    (School of Nursing, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 11420, Taiwan
    Department of Nursing, Tri-Service General Hospital, Taipei 11420, Taiwan)

  • Chou-Ping Chiou

    (School of Nursing, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung 84020, Taiwan
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Hsueh-Hsing Pan

    (School of Nursing, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 11420, Taiwan
    Department of Nursing, Tri-Service General Hospital, Taipei 11420, Taiwan
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

Abstract

Severe pneumonia with novel pathogens, also called COVID-19, caused a pandemic in Taiwan as well as in the rest of the world in May 2021. Nurses are under great stress when caring for critically ill patients with COVID-19. This study aimed to explore the perceived stress and coping behaviors of nurses caring for critically ill patients with COVID-19 using a mixed-methods approach. We recruited 85 nurses from a special intensive care unit (ICU) of a medical center in Taiwan between May and June 2021. To gather data, we used a questionnaire on basic characteristics, the perceived stress scale (PSS-14), and the brief coping orientation to problems experienced inventory (B-COPE), then conducted a qualitative interview. The results showed that the average perceived stress level among nurses was 25.4 points, and most of them perceived moderate stress. The top three coping behaviors practiced by the nurses were active coping, planning, and acceptance. Nurses who received less perceived support from their friends or families and who had shorter working experience in nursing had significantly higher stress levels. The qualitative results revealed that the nurses’ perceived stress came from fear, worry, and the increased burden caused by caring for critical patients with COVID-19. Coping behaviors included rest, seeking support, and affirmative fighting. Based on these findings, it is suggested that the support nurses receive from their families is an important predictor of perceived stress. Therefore, it is suggested that nurses be provided with more support in dealing with stress caused by caring for critical patients with COVID-19 in special ICUs.

Suggested Citation

  • Shu-Yen Lee & Kai-Jo Chiang & Yi-Jiun Tsai & Chi-Kang Lin & Yun-Ju Wang & Chou-Ping Chiou & Hsueh-Hsing Pan, 2022. "Perceived Stress and Coping Behavior of Nurses Caring for Critical Patients with COVID-19 Outbreak in Taiwan: A Mixed-Methods Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-13, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:7:p:4258-:d:785925
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Caroline Gurvich & Natalie Thomas & Elizabeth HX Thomas & Abdul-Rahman Hudaib & Lomash Sood & Kali Fabiatos & Keith Sutton & Anton Isaacs & Shalini Arunogiri & Gemma Sharp & Jayashri Kulkarni, 2021. "Coping styles and mental health in response to societal changes during the COVID-19 pandemic," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 67(5), pages 540-549, August.
    2. Masatoshi Tahara & Yuki Mashizume & Kayoko Takahashi, 2020. "Coping Mechanisms: Exploring Strategies Utilized by Japanese Healthcare Workers to Reduce Stress and Improve Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(1), pages 1-12, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Wenhuan Yu & Lin He & Xianhao Lin & Thomas Freudenreich & Tao Liu, 2022. "Irrational Consumption during the COVID-19 Period," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-13, April.

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