Ambivalent heroism? – Psychological burden and suicidal ideation among nurses during the Covid‐19 pandemic

Abstract

Aim During the Covid‐19 pandemic, the risk for nurses’ mental health has rapidly increased. The two main goals of this study were the examination of (1) the psychological burden and (2) of suicidal ideation and its associated risk factors one year after the Covid‐19 pandemic begun. Design This was a cross‐sectional online survey. Methods N = 1311 nurses (96.9% female) aged 18–63 years (M = 30.96, SD = 8.48) were assessed for various symptoms of psychological burden, suicidal ideation and behaviour and its risk factors. Results Almost half of participants (41.5%) reported heightened levels of depressive symptoms, 691 (52.7%) reported a medium to high risk for burnout. One fifth of participants (21.7%) reported suicidal ideation in the past 4 weeks. The direct contact to people with Covid‐19 was not related to the extent of the psychological burden. Depression, agitation, perceived burdensomeness and previous suicide attempt were associated with suicidal ideation.

The impact of the global COVID‐19 pandemic on risk factors for suicide in healthcare workers: A narrative review

“…), decreased job performance and job satisfaction, and decreased patient safety (Sung et al, 2021). Höller and Forkmann (2022) found that 52.7% of nurses surveyed during the pandemic reported a medium to high risk for burnout. Sung et al (2021) found the incidence of burnout in surveyed HCWs in Taiwan was 40.3%.…”

“…Ariapooran and Amirimanesh (2020) found that 15.38% of the nurses surveyed who were working in Iranian hospitals reported moderate to severe depression, 27.56% had plans for suicide and 9.94% had active suicidal desire. Höller and Forkmann (2022) found that one‐fifth of the nurses they studied during the pandemic reported suicidal ideation in the past 4 weeks and almost half reported lifetime suicidal ideation. Depression, agitation, perceived burdensomeness and previous suicide attempt(s) were associated with suicidal ideation (Höller & Forkmann, 2022).…”

“…In a two‐wave study of HCWs in Turkey, 51% of respondents endorsed depression (Amsalem et al, 2021). Höller and Forkmann (2022) surveyed nurses in Germany and found that 41.5% of nurses reported heightened levels of depression during the COVID‐19 pandemic. In their study of neurosurgeons from 52 different countries, Sharif et al (2020) found that 34% felt tense and 32.5% felt unhappy.…”

“…In a two-wave study of HCWs in Turkey, 51% of respondents endorsed depression (Amsalem et al, 2021). Höller and Forkmann (2022) surveyed nurses in Germany and found that 41.5% of nurses reported heightened levels of depression during the COVID-19 pandemic.…”

“…Höller and Forkmann (2022) found that one-fifth of the nurses they studied during the pandemic reported suicidal ideation in the past 4 weeks and almost half reported lifetime suicidal ideation. Depression, agitation, perceived burdensomeness and previous suicide attempt(s) were associated with suicidal ideation (Höller & Forkmann, 2022).…”