Work and Mental Distress among Nurses in the Amazon Region of Brazil during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Objective: To assess the relationship between psychopathological symptoms and the social, clinical, and occupational profile of nurses in the Amazon region of Brazil during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional online study was conducted in 2020 with 261 nurses. The Symptom Assessment Scale-40 was utilized. Results: The presence of pre-existing conditions before the pandemic was associated with psychotism (p=0.044). Experiencing constraints and/or violence at work during the pandemic was associated with somatization (p=0.025), and working hours were associated with anxiety (p=0.025). Nurses predominantly exhibited symptoms related to fear (33.7%), tension (34.5%), and a sense that something is wrong in the mind (22.6%). Conclusions: A significant association was observed between working hours and anxiety symptoms, the experience of constraints and/or violence at work during the COVID-19 pandemic and somatization symptoms, as well as between pre-existing conditions and psychotism symptoms related to COVID-19.