Nurses’ resilience and burnout during COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background and aims: Nurses are exposed to a variety of stresses that can cause mental health problems and lead to burnout. However, the severity of these problems in nurses also depends on their resilience. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the correlation between nurses’ resilience and burnout levels during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 328 nurses from four hospitals in Hilla city, Babylon province, Iraq, were enrolled in August and September 2021. Data collection tools included a demographic information form, the Anxiety, Stress, and Depression Scale (DASS-21), the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), and the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI). The collected data were analyzed using SPSS-16 software at a significance level of 0.05. Results: The mean resilience score among nurses was 68.05±17.04, and the majority (77.4%) had a moderate level of burnout. There was a significant and inverse correlation between depression (r=-0.27, P<0.001), anxiety (r=-0.12, P<0.001), stress (r=-0.180, P<0.001), and resilience of nurses. Also, there was a significant correlation between nurses’ burnout and resilience. Conclusion: Enhancing nurses’ resilience is crucial for improving their mental health and sustaining healthcare quality during crises. Future studies should explore interventions to boost resilience and examine their long-term effects on burnout and mental health. These findings help develop strategies to support nurses, ensuring better healthcare outcomes during challenging times.

Keywords

• resiliency
• burnout
• anxiety
• stress
• depression