A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY TO ASSESS THE PREVALENCE OF PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS AMONG NURSES WORKING IN HOSPITAL SETTING GOA

Mental illness affects all groups, with psychological distress among working professionals becoming a growing concern. Health care workers, particularly nurses, are vulnerable to depression, anxiety, and stress. This study aimed to assess psychological distress among nurses in hospital settings in Goa and examine its association with socio-demographic variables. Using a descriptive design, data were collected from 40 nurses via online surveys and analyzed with the DASS-21 scale. Results showed significant associations between distress levels and variables such as religion, income, habitat, family type, working area, and working hours (p < 0.05). Findings revealed that 37.5% experienced moderate depression, 30% had normal anxiety, and 47.5% reported normal stress, with varying levels across other categories. The null hypothesis was rejected, confirming significant links between psychological distress and socio-demographic factors, including age, gender, education, and work experience