Effects of workplace support on nurses’ mental health: Evidence from the COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction: Crises such as natural disasters, epidemics, and famine have occurred throughout human history. Nurses’ mental health is negatively affected in times of crisis, such as pandemics. Workplace support needs should be met to protect and improve nurses’ mental health. Therefore, the research was conducted to determine the workplace support and mental health status of nurses during crisis periods and to examine the effects of nurses’ perceived workplace support on their mental health with the example of the COVID- 19 pandemic. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional research design was used. This study was conducted with nurses working at a university hospital (n = 417). Data were collected using a descriptive characteristics form, the perceived workplace support scale, and the mental health continuum-short form. Data analysis was undertaken using descriptive statistics and a linear regression analysis. In addition, the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology reporting guideline checklist was used. Results: The nurses’ perceived workplace support score was found to be 110.95 ± 21.65 (min: 33, max: 60). In the evaluation of the mental health status of the participants, the mean scores were determined to 34.31 ± 16.53 (min: 0, max: 70). The nurses’ perceived workplace support explained 15% of the variance in their mental health status. Conclusion: Nurses’ perceived workplace support significantly influenced their mental health during crisis periods, highlighting the importance of using available organizational, supervisor, and coworker support resources. Nurses can maintain their mental well-being by increasing awareness of and effectively utilizing these resources. Managers can enhance resilience and overall mental health through structured interventions such as peer support programs and organizational initiatives. Policymakers can promote a resilient nursing workforce by integrating workplace-support strategies into crisis preparedness plans and health policies, ultimately benefiting both nurses and patient care outcomes.