PREVALENCE AND ASSOCIATION BETWEEN STRESS AND ANXIETY IN PERIOPERATIVE NURSING PROFESSIONALS: MIXED METHODS RESEARCH

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective: to analyze prevalence and association between stress and anxiety among perioperative nursing professionals. Method: this is mixed methods explanatory sequential research. Data were collected between October 2022 and March 2023. Cross-sectional quantitative stage was developed with 56 perioperative nursing professionals, who answered a sociodemographic questionnaire, the List of Signs and Symptoms of Stress and General Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7). Qualitative data obtained from eight semi-structured interviews. Data mixing occurred per connection. Results: professionals with moderate anxiety (n=21; 36.8%) and high stress (n=24; 42.1%) prevailed. An association was found between anxiety and stress (r=0.827; p=0.01). Qualitative data supported aspects of the perioperative work context that predispose to stress and anxiety, such as work overload, little interprofessional collaboration, limited governance over routines and dichotomy between macroprocess management and care practice. Conclusion: an association was evidenced between high stress and anxiety present in the professionals investigated, injuries related to aspects of the work carried out in perioperative care contexts.