Non-psychotic symptoms among nursing professionals

cross-sectional study in the context of COVID-19

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/ce.v30i0.95949pt

Keywords:

Nurse Practitioners, Mental Health, Signs and Symptoms, COVID-19, Cross-Sectional Studies

Abstract

Objective: Identify non-psychotic symptoms prevalent among nursing professionals in the work context of COVID-19 and analyze the relationship between mental suffering and socio-demographic, clinical, and labor profile. 

Method: Transversal study, conducted online, in 2022, with 175 nursing workers working in public health services in São Paulo, Brazil. The Self-Reporting Questionnaire-20 scale, the Kuder-Richardson coefficient, and Fisher's Exact were used.

Results: Non-psychotic symptoms, poor sleep (65.1%); feeling nervous or worried (64%); fatigue (59.4%); headaches (52.5%); difficulty satisfying with daily activities or work (46.3%); lack of interest (46.3%). Significant association between mental suffering and sex (p=0.006), diagnosis of psychiatric problem (p<0.001), and onset of post-pandemic non-psychotic symptoms (p<0.001).

Conclusion: The work during the COVID-19 outbreak intensified the mental suffering of nursing workers, which currently demands psychosocial attention, constant and future follow-up.

Author Biographies

Larissa Santos Nogueira, Federal University of São Paulo

Nurse. Resident of the Multidisciplinary Residency Program in Adult Intensive Care at the Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.

Angelica Martins de Souza Gonçalves, Federal University of São Carlos

Nurse. Post-Doctorate. Professor at the Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, SP, Brazil

Ariene Angelini dos Santos Orlandi, Federal University of São Carlos

Nurse. Post-Doctorate. Professor at the Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil.

Fernanda Michelle Duarte da Silva, Federal University of São Carlos

Nurse. PhD student in Nursing at the Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, SP, Brazil.

Sonia Regina Zerbetto, Federal University of São Carlos

Nurse. Post-Doctorate. Professor at the Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, SP, Brazil.

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Published

2025-07-02

How to Cite

Nogueira, L. S., Gonçalves, A. M. de S., Orlandi, A. A. dos S., da Silva, F. M. D., & Zerbetto, S. R. (2025). Non-psychotic symptoms among nursing professionals: cross-sectional study in the context of COVID-19. Cogitare Enfermagem, 30. https://doi.org/10.1590/ce.v30i0.95949pt

Issue

Vol. 30 (2025)

Section

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

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Copyright (c) 2025 Larissa Santos Nogueira, Angelica Martins de Souza Gonçalves, Ariene Angelini dos Santos Orlandi, Fernanda Michelle Duarte da Silva, Sonia Regina Zerbetto

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