It is not exactly news that nurses in the United States and around the world are exposed to a wide variety of risk factors associated with negative mental health consequences and outcomes. Challenges including anxiety, depression, cognitive impairment, trauma and PTSD, burnout and sleep difficulties affect nurses routinely. These problems become compounded by lack of resources and social support, nurses’ behaviors and lifestyles, workplace bullying and violence, and shift work. They then have a negative trickle-down effect on patient safety, accuracy, and skills, as well as organizational and interpersonal outcomes. Mental health in nurses is an issue that demands full attention now.
Nursing Shortage
Nurses make up the largest group of professionals within the healthcare system. They are essential in the promotion of health and prevention of illnesses and diseases. Nurses are found everywhere throughout the healthcare system and provide both primary and community healthcare services. The mental health crisis among nurses is taking a huge toll on service quality, patient safety, increased turnover and a weakened nursing workforce. In fact, according to the International Council of Nurses1 (ICN), 13 million nurses are needed to fill the nursing shortage worldwide.
Risk Factors for Mental Health Issues in Nurses
Researchers examined the close relationship among several factors that impact nurse mental health, including intrapersonal and interpersonal, behaviors and lifestyle, organizational, political and environmental.
Intrapersonal and Interpersonal Factors Affecting Nurse Mental Health
In terms of intrapersonal and interpersonal factors, genetics, demographics, personality, and physical condition all contribute either positively or negatively to mental health. Positive traits such as forgiveness, gratitude and positive experience act as protective factors against mental health issues among nurses. Positive workplace relationships, social support and social activity all have protective effects on mental health. Negative risk factors, on the other hand, include high body mass index, older age, surgical history, negative intrapersonal experiences, negative personality and physical health problems.
Behavioral and Lifestyle Factors Affecting Nurse Mental Health
The behavioral and lifestyle conditions, such as sleep, diet, physical activity and behavioral habits also play a role in the mental health of nurses. Protective factors include healthy sleep, leisure, brisk and vigorous activity, regular and moderate consumption of alcohol, two cups of coffee daily, and healthy eating, including an antioxidant diet. Risk factors, on the other hand, include poor sleep, inflammatory diet, high fat intake, smoking, overdrinking and little to no physical activity.
Organizational, Political and Environmental Risk Factors Affecting Nurse Mental Health
On the bright side, factors such as Having some control in the work place, adequate job resources, and fair and inclusive leadership protect nurse mental health, while negative experiences at work, shift work, high job demand and strain at work, understaffing, fast job pace, professional anxiety and worry, and needle stick and sharps injuries work against nurse mental health.
Consequences of Mental Health Issues in Nurses
Understanding the many risks that nurses are exposed to on a regular basis is part of the equation concerning doing something to improve the situation. Consequences of risk factors require attention as well and are categorized as physical, behavioral, occupational, organizational and intrapersonal consequences.
Physical and Lifestyle Consequences of Nurse Mental Health Problems
Nurses at risk of factors associated with poor mental health can experience a wide variety of consequences to their mental health status including elevated levels of inflammatory biomarkers, back and musculoskeletal pain, immune diseases (rheumatoid arthritis), hypertension, heart disease and stroke. Mental health problems can also lead to lack of exercise, poor diet, overwatching television, anxiety, and depression.
Occupational, Organizational and Intrapersonal Consequences of Nurse Mental Health Problems
Nurses who exhibit poor mental health are more likely to encounter workplace bullying, experience role conflict, and lack social support. Some can experience more work-family conflicts, burnout, poor job satisfaction and greater absence due to illness. In terms of intrapersonal consequences, nurses may experience a decrease in cognitive functioning, decreased attendance at religious services, insomnia, and depression.
Final Thoughts on Mental Health Issues in Nurses
There is a great shortage in nurses here in the United States and around the world. Nurses are exposed to continual risk factors that may negatively impact their mental health, which can lead to further complications and consequences. It is time to take nurse mental health seriously and move towards effective identification, prevention, and treatment of mental health problems among nurses.
References
- International Council of Nurses. (2022). “The greatest threat to global health is the workforce shortage”. International Council Nurses Day demands action on investment in nursing protection and safety of nurses.
- Yang, Jiaxin et al. Risk Factors and Consequences of Mental Health Problems in Nurses: A Scoping Review of Cohort Studies. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 2024; 33: 1197-1211.