Coping strategies among nurses during the COVID -19 outbreak

Abstract

The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus pandemic, which is responsible for COVID-19 disease, is a catastrophic global crisis, which is the background for individual emotional crises. One of the most vulnerable groups are medical staff, including nurses-especially those who are professionally most active during the pandemic. Preventive measures that have been taken in Asian countries in this target group include mainly problem-focused strategies. These are the same strategies that have already been used by Polish nursing teams in difficult work-related situations. The skills and potential of nursing teams aimed at activating these strategies during the epidemic will constitute a significant indicator of constructive coping with the crisis, not only in the case of individuals but also on a nationwide or even universal scale.

Emotional Control among Nurses against Work Conditions and the Support Received during the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic

“…Up to date research shows that nurses working in infectious wards managed their care of COVID-19 patients slightly better because due to the fact that they were, working with potentially infected patients on a daily basis, they were, in a way, used to the specificity of this job. The necessity for the staff of other-turned-infectious wards to quickly adjust to the changed procedures required mobilisation, the extension of knowledge and skills, and was related to the exposure of higher stress level [29,30]. In the present research, it was this group who presented a lower fear intensity, though the level of anger suppression was the highest in this group of nurses.…”

Comparative analysis of patients’ satisfaction level, hospitalized before and during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…The first reports from foreign, particularly from Asia, but also from native research facilities reaffirms that in the present epidemiological situation, nurses managed to launch constructive strategy which includes coping with the consequences of the experienced psychological stress. 12,13 Despite numerous concerns and emotional experiences, the nursing staff holds care for the patient by bearing in mind the bio-psycho-social needs, which finds confirmation in the own researches. Beyond 80% of survey participants pleasantly evaluated nursing interventions, notably staff reaction to the pain reported, worse wellness, help in self-reliant activities.…”

System of Work and Stress-Coping Strategies Used by Nurses of a Polish Hospital during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Working during a pandemic is especially challenging for nurses. In this scenario, professional activities are undertaken that go beyond standard routine or applied patterns of conduct, which are also practised by smaller nursing teams under the pressure of time and the risk of loss of life or failing health [ 1 ]. The above observations were confirmed by earlier research results from the period of the SARS epidemic [ 2 , 3 ].…”

“…The period of the COVID-19 pandemic has the features of a crisis, which, according to Clark, is determined by such elements as time pressure, potential threat and surprise, and danger due to the circumstances in which it occurs [ 1 , 5 ]. In turn, the consequence of critical events are changes in the adaptation mechanisms in the human–environment–group–environment system [ 6 ].…”

“…In turn, the consequence of critical events are changes in the adaptation mechanisms in the human–environment–group–environment system [ 6 ]. Therefore, people facing a crisis experience acute or chronic stress, emotional tension, and a sense of uncertainty due to the loss of control over routine activities, which, in turn, forces them to make changes to their current behaviour, i.e., adopting coping strategies [ 1 , 7 ]. Eustress has a motivating effect and stimulates an individual to develop and change.…”