Psychological status and perceived social support of oncology nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND: Oncology nurses play an important role in supporting cancer patients during the pandemic. The aim of the study is to determine the depression, anxiety and stress levels of oncology nurses and analyze the potential factors associated with them.METHODS: This cross-sectional research sample consisted of 363 oncology nurses. Data were collected using the Questionnaire Form, Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale-21, and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Logistic regression analyses were performed to analyze potential factors associated with depression, anxiety, and stress.RESULTS: Factors causing the most stress in oncology nurses were reported the fear of getting COVID-19 disease (81.21%), disruption of family order (61.04%), fear of transmitting COVID-19 to one of the family (56.35%), being assigned to different clinics due to pandemic (53.59%). In the regression model, being married (OR=3.46, 95% CI: 1.53 to 7.94) and having a chronic (OR=2.17, 95% CI: 1.11 to 4.25) illness were found to be independent risk factors associated with depression, and support form significant other was an independent protective factor for depression (OR=0.818 95% CI: 0.871 to 0.967). Three variables were associated with anxiety among oncology nurses (gender (OR=2.68, 95% CI: 1.38 to 5.19), marital status (OR=2.38, 95% CI: 1.10 to 5.14) and chronic disease (OR=1.86, 95% CI: 1.01 to 3.42).CONCLUSIONS: In our study, anxiety and depression levels of oncology nurses were found to be moderate during the pandemic. It is recommended to support of oncology nurses by providing a supportive and safe working environment.