The mediating effect of coping style in the relationship between sleep status and quality of life among night shift nurses: a multistage stratified cluster sampling survey

Abstract

Background: This study explored how coping styles mediate the relationship between sleep status and quality of life among night shift nurses. Methods: A multistage stratified cluster sampling survey was conducted among staff at a general hospital from November 2019 to January 2020. A total of 1,170 night shift nurses completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), EuroQol five-dimensions (EQ-5D), and Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire (SCSQ). Respectively, these measures were used to assess sleep quality, the quality of life, and coping styles. Results: The total sleep status was positively correlated with the quality of life (r = 0.31, P < 0.05) and negative coping (r = 0.18, P < 0.05), negatively correlated with positive coping (r = -0.05, P < 0.05). Negative coping was positively correlated with the quality of life (r = 0.42, P < 0.05). According to the path analysis, sleep status had a positive effect on negative coping (β = 0.18, P < 0.05) and quality of life (β = 0.11, P < 0.05), negative effect on positive coping (β = -0.05, P < 0.05); positive coping had a negative effect on quality of life (β = -0.03, P < 0.05), while negative coping had a positive effect on quality of life (β = 0.02, P < 0.05). Conclusions: Coping style partially mediated the relationship between sleep status and quality of life. This suggests that interventions targeting coping styles may benefit night shift nurses, as such an approach can ultimately enhance the quality of life by improving sleep.