A descriptive analysis of nurses’ self-reported mental health symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic: An international study

Squires A.; Dutton H.J.; Casales-Hernandez M.G.; Rodriguez López J.I.; Jimenez-Sanchez J.; Saldarriaga-Dixon P.; Bernal Cespedes C.; Flores Y.; Arteaga Cordova M.I.; Castillo G.; Loza Sosa J.M.; Garcia J.; Ramirez T.; González - Nahuelquin C.; Amaya T.; Guedes Dos Santos J.L.; Muñoz Rojas D.; Buitrago-Malaver L.A.; Rojas-Pineda F.J.; Alvarez Watson J.L.; Gómez Del Pulgar M.; Anyorikeya M.; Bilgin H.; Blaževičienė A.; Buranda L.S.; Castillo T.P.; Cedeño Tapia S.J.; Chiappinotto S.; Damiran D.; Duka B.; Ejupi V.; Ismail M.J.; Khatun S.; Koy V.; Lee S.E.; Lee T.; Lickiewicz J.; Macijauskienė J.; Malinowska-Lipien I.; Nantsupawat A.; Nashwan A.J.; Ahmed F.O.; Ozakgul A.; Paarima Y.; Palese A.; Ramirez V.E.; Tsuladze A.; Tulek Z.; Uchaneishvili M.; Wekem Kukeba M.; Yanjmaa E.; Patel H.; Ma Z.; Goldsamt L.A.; Jones S. · International Nursing Review (2025) · DOI: 10.1111/inr.13099

Resumen

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.

Instituciones: Universidad Científica del Sur