The association of fear of COVID-19 on occupational stress in pediatric nurses: Examining the mediating role of psychological well-being

Purpose: This study investigated the associations of fear of COVID-19 with occupational stress and the mediating role of psychological well-being in pediatric nurses.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between December 2021 and February 2022. The sample consisted of 464 pediatric nurses from public or university hospitals in Türkiye. Data were collected using a sociodemographic characteristics questionnaire, the Fear of COVID-19 Scale, the Occupational Stress Scale, and the Psychological Well-Being Scale. The data were analyzed using Pearson's correlation and regression analysis.

Results: Participants' fear of COVID-19 was positively associated with their occupational stress (F = 17.263; p < 0.001) but negatively associated with their psychological well-being (F = 10.575; p = 0.001). Their psychological well-being was negatively associated with their occupational stress (F = 22.084; p < 0.001). Nurses fear of COVID-19 explained three and 2 % of their occupational stress and psychological well-being, respectively. Nurses' psychological well-being explained 4 % of their occupational stress. The results showed that participants' psychological well-being did not mediate between their fear of COVID-19 and occupational stress.

Conclusion: Pediatric nurses fear COVID-19 but have an above-mean level of occupational stress and psychological well-being. In conclusion, psychological well-being does not mediate between pediatric nurses' fear of COVID-19 and occupational stress.

Practice implications: The pandemic was a traumatic experience for pediatric nurses. Hospital administrators and nurse managers must monitor the psychosocial health of pediatric nurses and support them in times of crisis.