The Mediating Effect of Coping Strategies on the Relationship between Perceived Stress and Quality of Life among Jordanian Registered Nurses during COVID-19: Cross-correlational Study

Abstract

Background. Nurses have reported considerable levels of perceived stress, increasing significantly during crises such as pandemics. The harmful consequences of stress perception on quality of life (QoL) in nurses are well recognized in the literature. Nurses cope differently with stressful situations. Different studies supported the mediating roles of some coping strategies on the correlation between stress and QoL. However, rare studies have investigated these roles among registered nurses (RNs). Objectives. To examine: 1) the relationship between perception stress and QoL and 2) the mediating role of coping strategies on the relationship between stress perception and QoL in RNs during crises such as pandemic. Methods. A cross-sectional correlational design was used with an online survey. A convenience sampling approach was used to select 550 RNs from 8 hospitals. A demographic questionnaire, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), the Brief COPE inventory, and the WHOQOL scale were used to collect the data. Descriptive and multiple linear regression analyses were used to analyze the data. Results. The results showed that perceived stress was negatively correlated with QoL. Religion and then substance use as coping strategies were commonly used by nurses more than other strategies. Implication for Nursing. The study findings emphasize the importance of assessing and improving nurses’ QoL. The findings serve as an empirical basis for planning and implementing effective stress management strategies. Conclusion. Substance use only played a mediating role between stress perception and QoL among nurses. Stress perception and substance use should be valued as important variables for improving nurses' QoL.

Keywords

• coping
• stress
• quality of life
• registered nurse