Coping Strategies and self-esteem mediate Covid-19 stress and mental health among nurses in the Gaza Strip

Abstract

Abstract The current study aimed to explore the mediating role of coping strategies and self-esteem between Covid-19 stress and mental health among nurses in the Gaza Strip during the Covid-19 outbreak. The sample consisted of 279 participants {141 (49.6%) females and 138 (48.6%) males}. COVID Stress Scales, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, the Ways of Coping Questionnaire and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale were applied. The results showed that female nurses reported more fear of Covid-19 dangerousness and anxiety compared with males. The results also showed that there is a significant positive correlation between fear of the dangerousness of covid and fear of being infected by others, fear of being infected by things, self-esteem, problem-focused coping, anxiety, depression. Moreover, there is a significant positive correlation between fear of being infected by others and fear of being infected by things, self-esteem, problem-focused coping, emotion-focused coping, and anxiety. There is a significant positive correlation between fear of infected by things and emotion-focused coping, and anxiety, depression. Similarly, there is a significant positive correlation between self-esteem and problem-focused coping. Likewise, there is a significant positive correlation between emotion-focused coping and anxiety and depression. Finally, there is a significant positive correlation between anxiety and depression. Supervision and training should focus on improving nurses' emotional intelligence, problem-solving capabilities, and self-esteem to protect health providers from psychological burdens.