Anxiety of Nurses to support Wuhan in fighting against COVID‐19 Epidemic and its Correlation With Work Stress and Self‐efficacy

Abstract Aims and objectives We aimed to investigate the anxiety of nurses who are supporting Wuhan in fighting against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) infection and explore relevant influencing factors. Background The COVID‐19 outbreak poses a major threat to public health worldwide. Nurses play an important role in this epidemic. However, available data on the mental health among these nurses are limited. Design A descriptive, cross‐sectional survey was performed. Methods An online questionnaire was completed by 200 nurses who went to Wuhan to help to fight against COVID‐19 from another province. Data collection tools include the Chinese version of the Stress Overload Scale (SOS), the Self‐Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and General Self‐Efficacy Scale (GSES). Descriptive, single‐factor correlation and multiple regression analyses were used in exploring related influencing factors. Reporting followed the STROBE guidelines. Results The scores of SAS, SOS and GSES range from 20 to 80, 22 to 110 and 10 to 40, respectively, and the SAS (31.79 ± 7.32) and SOS (40.19 ± 12.92) and GSES scores (24.83 ± 6.60) were obtained. Anxiety was positively correlated with stress ( r = .679, p < .001) but negatively correlated with self‐efficacy ( r = −.326, p < .001). Multiple regression analysis showed that professional qualification, sleep, stress and self‐efficacy were the main factors affecting nurse anxiety ( p = .006, <.001, <.001, .039, respectively). Conclusions Nurses who are supporting Wuhan in fighting against COVID‐19 were under a low level of anxiety. Relevance to clinical practice The current study suggests work stress reduction might be a key factor in reducing anxiety and maintaining mental health to support nurses who are fighting against COVID‐19 infection.