Social Support Is Associated with Fewer Mental Health Problems Among Japanese Nurses During COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

This study aims to assess the relationship between the effect of the pandemic on the mental health of nurses and its association with their social support needs. Infectious disease pandemics have had a considerable impact on the medical healthcare industry and the global economy, and the construction of a sustainable medical system is essential for overcoming them. This cross-sectional study evaluated 2431 Japanese nurses who completed a survey using three mental health scales for depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress. It was found that the odds of depression were lower among nurses who received sufficient infection prevention measures than those who felt that no preventive measures were implemented. Nurses who sought financial support and support against libel and slander were associated with a high risk of depression. These items were associated with a high risk of anxiety disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. The increased mental health problems among nurses require evidence-based social support, including countermeasures against infection in hospital, financial support for individual nurses, and support against libel and slander to improve their mental health.