Non-psychotic symptoms among nursing professionals: cross-sectional study in the context of COVID-19

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.