Mental illness and coping strategies of nurses at a university hospital

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/ce.v30i0.94567

Keywords:

Nursing, Employee Health, Mental Health, Occupational Health Nursing, Psychiatric Nursing

Abstract

Objective: to identify the presence of mental illness and the coping strategies nurses use at a university hospital in Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil.

Method: a quantitative, cross-sectional, descriptive study between June 2022 and January 2023. The following were used: Sociodemographic and health aspects questionnaire, Symptom Assessment Scale-40-R, and Folkman and Lazarus Coping Strategies Inventory. Univariate descriptive statistics and Pearson's correlation coefficient were analyzed.

Results: 97 people were interviewed who reported that they had already felt depressed for two weeks or more (34%), had been diagnosed with a mental disorder (35.1%), and were undergoing psychological (8.2%) and psychiatric (7.2%) counseling. They showed more significant impairment in the obsessiveness-compulsiveness dimension and made greater use of the coping strategy Positive Reappraisal.

Conclusion: the study helps to guide nursing managers in implementing programs that encourage coping strategies aimed at improving the mental health of these professionals.

Author Biographies

Mayara Stefanie Sousa Oliveira, Federal University of Alagoas

Graduated in Nursing. Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió, AL, Brazil.

Verônica de Medeiros Alves, Federal University of Alagoas

PhD in Mental Health. Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió, AL, Brazil.

Ingrid Martins Leite Lúcio, Federal University of Alagoas

PhD in Nursing. Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió, AL, Brazil.

Priscilla Souza dos Santos, Federal University of Alagoas

Master in Nursing. Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió, AL, Brazil.

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Published

2025-02-18

How to Cite

Oliveira, M. S. S., Alves, V. de M., Lúcio, I. M. L., & dos Santos, P. S. (2025). Mental illness and coping strategies of nurses at a university hospital. Cogitare Enfermagem, 30. https://doi.org/10.1590/ce.v30i0.94567

Issue

Vol. 30 (2025)

Section

Research

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Copyright (c) 2025 Mayara Stefanie Sousa Oliveira, Verônica de Medeiros Alves, Ingrid Martins Leite Lúcio, Priscilla Souza dos Santos

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