Worry and fear as predictors of fatalism by COVID-19 in the daily work of nurses

Abstract

Objective: to analyze the relationship between the concern and fear of COVID-19 with fatalism in the daily work of nurses. Method: analytical cross-sectional study carried out with a total of 449 nurses. Data collection was performed using instruments validated in Peru. In the analysis, the Shapiro-Wilk test and the Spearman correlation coefficient were used, and two multiple regression models were estimated, with variable selection in stages. Results: nurses had a moderate level of fatalism and a low level of fear and concern about COVID-19. The first statistical model, which included sociodemographic variables, explains only 3% of the fatalism variance. However, a second model that includes fear and perception explains 33% of it. Conclusion: Worry, fear and having been diagnosed with COVID-19 were predictors of fatalism. It is suggested the implementation of psycho-emotional interventions in daily work - aimed at Nursing professionals who present high levels of fear or concern - to reduce fatalism and prevent fatal consequences of the pandemic and promote health.

Path of fear: Experiences of health professionals in the fight against COVID‐19

“…During the COVID‐19 pandemic, insecurity, anxiety, and fear were commonly reported by health care professionals worldwide (Ates & Erdogan, 2022; Bakioğlu et al, 2021; Duffy et al, 2022; Fonseca et al, 2021; Jeleff et al, 2022; Zeladita‐Huaman et al, 2022). These emotions became commonplace and yet their immediate and long‐term consequences remain poorly understood.…”

“…The Fear of COVID‐19 Scale (Ahorsu et al, 2022) has been used in several studies to assess fear in both the general population and health care professionals. Studies conducted in different countries and continents, including Peru (Zeladita‐Huaman et al, 2022), Euro Asia (Turkey) (Ates & Erdogan, 2022), Asia (Alnazly et al, 2021; Labrague & Santos, 2021), and Europe (Prazeres et al, 2020) have shown that the level of fear among health care professionals was considered moderate or low.…”