Unmasking Distress: An Analysis of COVID-19's Mental Health Impact on Nurses in South Africa.

Abstract

Background: The acute mental health challenges faced by nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic have the potential to result in long-lasting psychological impacts. Promoting the mental health of nurses is crucial not only to safeguard their wellbeing but also to ensure the delivery of optimal patient care.

Objective: This study sought to ascertain the extended mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic among nurses in South Africa.

Methods: Participants involved nurses working at four hospitals in the Western Cape province: Helderberg, TC Newman, Stellenbosch, and Tygerberg. A convenience sample of nurses (N = 264) from the four hospitals participated in the study. Data collection involved an online survey, which included a comprehensive battery of psychological measures, such as fear of COVID-19, perceived vulnerability to disease, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), alcohol use, and worry about COVID-19 infection.

Results: The mean age of participants was 34.4 (SD = 7.9), with a majority being female (82%). Age was positively correlated with hopelessness and life satisfaction but negatively associated with fear of COVID-19 and symptoms of anxiety, PTSD, alcohol use, and depression. Nurses in the private sector reported higher levels of alcohol use and PTSD than nurses in public, while married and partnered nurses reported reduced levels of anxiety compared to their unmarried counterparts. Higher education levels were associated with reduced adverse mental health outcomes.

Conclusion: Psychological distress among nurses was exacerbated even after the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Potential areas of concern are highlighted, indicating the need for targeted interventions.