Work-Related Stress On Nurses’ Mental Health: Basis for an Advocacy Program

Work-related stress is widely recognized as a critical factor influencing nurses’ mental health, affecting both their well-being and professional functioning. In response to this concern, the study employed a descriptive–correlational research design to examine the perceived effects of work-related stress across cognitive functional abilities, lifestyle and health behaviors, and social and occupational functioning, as well as nurses’ coping beliefs. It also explored differences and relationships between stress effects and selected profile variables. Using a purposive–incidental sampling technique, 56 staff nurses were selected from a total population of 102 nurses in a selected hospital in Urdaneta City. Only frontline nurses directly involved in patient care were included to ensure the data's relevance. The respondents were predominantly middle-aged, female, single, and Roman Catholic, mostly Bachelor’s degree holders, belonging to a lower-middle- to middle-income group, assigned mainly to ward areas, and largely early in their careers. The findings reveal that work-related stress exerts a moderate, multidimensional impact on nurses’ mental health, with more pronounced effects on cognitive functioning and lifestyle behaviors. In contrast, social and occupational functioning are less affected. Despite this, nurses demonstrate strong coping beliefs, particularly in managing emotions and sustaining coping strategies, although challenges remain in maintaining optimal job performance under stress. The study concludes that stress experiences vary by professional context and level of experience rather than by general demographic factors, highlighting the vulnerability of early-career nurses and those in high-demand clinical areas. Accordingly, it is recommended that a targeted advocacy program be implemented, focusing on stress management training, mentorship, lifestyle and wellness interventions, and organizational support systems such as adequate staffing and flexible scheduling. These strategies are essential for enhancing nurses’ well-being, strengthening coping capacity, and improving overall professional performance.