The influence of positive mental health and work stress on resilience among mental health nurses: a cross-sectional study

Mental health nursing is classified as a high-risk profession, as these nurses face high stress levels, which have detrimental effects on nurses’ mental, emotional, and physical well-being. This study assessed the influence of positive mental health and work stress on resilience among mental health nurses. A cross-sectional, correlational, descriptive design was applied. Convenience sampling was used to collect data (from January to December 2024) using three instruments: the Positive Mental Health Scale, Workplace Stress Scale, and Resilience Appraisal Scale. Participants (N = 300) reported moderate stress levels (M = 24.8, SD ± 4.56), with major concerns being a lack of adequate recognition for good performance and the belief that their job negatively affects their physical or emotional well-being. The total mental health score was 2.82 (SD ± 0.47), indicating a perception of good positive mental health among participants. Participants reported moderate social support (M = 3.40, SD ± 0.66), emotion coping (M = 3.26, SD ± 0.67), and situation coping (M = 3.22, SD ± 0.68). The mean resilience score was 3.29 (SD ± 0.54), suggesting an ability to effectively manage some situations but not others. Work stress was correlated with lower levels of positive mental health, social support, situation coping, and resilience. Positive mental health (p < 0.001) and work stress (p = 0.015) were significant predictors of resilience, accounting for 24.6% of the variance. Effective resilience interventions are crucial to reduce work-related stress and improve nurses’ performance. Creating supportive work environments that foster collaboration and empower nurses to alleviate work-related stress, enabling them to deliver high-quality care.