Factors associated with the psychological well-being among front-line nurses exposed to COVID-2019 in China: A predictive study

Aims: To evaluate psychological well-being and factors associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among front-line nurses during the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Background: Coronavirus disease-2019 is a pandemic that has posed a public health emergency of international concern. Psychological well-being of front-line nurses is a big concern during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: With a predictive study design, a same survey was sent separately at two time points (i.e. before and after nurses worked at COVID-19 units) between January and March 2020 among 356 front-line nurses in First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Anhui, China.

Results: Of a total 356 front-line nurses, stress level and the prevalence of PTSD were significantly increased after they worked at COVID-19 units. Nurses who had work experience less than 2 years were significantly associated with a high risk of developing PTSD. Nurses who worked in COVID-19 inpatients wards had significantly higher odds of being PTSD (odds ratio [OR] = 21.9, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 5.08; 94.5) than those who worked in other COVID-19-related units. Resilience was negatively associated with PTSD (OR = 0.96, 95% CI: 0.93; 0.99).

Conclusion: Nurses had significantly increased risk to develop PTSD during COVID-19 pandemic.

Implications for nursing management: Clinical and policy strategies to support front-line nurses' psychological well-being, particularly young nurses, in response to COVID-19 crisis are urgently needed.