Navigating stress: workplace resilience and mental health nursing in Egyptian psychiatric hospitals

Abstract Background Mental health nurses encounter distinctive occupational challenges that significantly influence their psychological well-being and resilience capacity. These challenges include managing patients with complex mental health conditions, navigating high-stress clinical environments, and addressing the substantial emotional demands inherent in psychiatric nursing practice. This study aimed to assess the psychological well-being and workplace resilience of nurses employed in mental health hospitals in Upper Egypt and to identify factors associated with these outcomes. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 200 mental health nurses in mental health hospitals located in Assiut district, Upper Egypt. Data were collected through semi-structured questionnaires administered via direct interviews with study participants. Psychological well-being was measured using Ryff’s Psychological Well-Being Scale, while workplace resilience was assessed using the Resilience at Work Scale. Results The overall mean psychological well-being score was 4.32 ± 0.46. Among the psychological well-being dimensions, personal growth demonstrated the highest mean score (4.58 ± 0.81). The overall mean resilience at work score was 4.60 ± 0.56. Cooperative interaction exhibited the highest mean score (5.48 ± 0.54), whereas maintaining perspective showed the lowest mean score (3.67 ± 1.00). Significant predictors of both psychological well-being and workplace resilience included employment in university hospitals and higher socioeconomic status. Male gender emerged as a significant predictor of psychological well-being. Conclusions This study demonstrates that a substantial proportion of mental health nurses exhibit high levels of workplace resilience, while the majority demonstrate moderate levels of psychological well-being. Strengthening workplace resilience represents a critical strategy for healthcare organizations seeking to support the psychological well-being of mental health nursing staff. The results emphasize the essential role of organizational support and structured interventions in fostering workplace resilience and safeguarding the psychological well-being of mental health nurses.