Title : Psychological capital mediates the relationship between stress and mental health problems among nurses
Abstract:
Background: Nurses frequently encounter unpredictable and high-pressure clinical situations that contribute to stress, depression, anxiety, and burnout. Psychological capital (PsyCap) comprising hope, efficacy, resilience, and optimism has emerged as a positive psychological resource that buffers the effects of stress and promotes mental well-being.
Objectives: This study investigated the relationships among stress, mental health problems (depression, anxiety, and anhedonia), and psychological capital among nurses, and examined whether PsyCap mediates the relationship between stress and mental health outcomes.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 362 registered nurses who had at least six months of clinical experience. Data were collected using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales 21 (DASS-21), Psychological Capital Questionnaire (PCQ), and Snaith Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS). Statistical analyses included t-tests, ANOVA, Pearson correlations, and mediation analysis using Hayes’s PROCESS macro.
Results: Of the nurses surveyed, 27.1% reported depressive symptoms, 33.7% reported anxiety, 26.8% reported stress, and 35.9% exhibited anhedonia. Stress was positively correlated with depression (β = 0.7306, p < .001), anxiety (β = 0.6506, p < .001), and anhedonia (β = 0.1960, p < .001). After controlling for age, work experience, and PsyCap, the direct effects of stress on depression and anxiety remained significant, whereas the indirect effects via PsyCap were also significant (depression: β = 0.0856, Boot 95% CI [0.0496, 0.1282]; anxiety: β = 0.0297, Boot 95% CI [0.0018, 0.0551]), indicating partial mediation. For anhedonia, the indirect effect through PsyCap was significant (β = 0.1475, Boot 95% CI [0.0999, 0.2058]) while the direct effect was nonsignificant, indicating full mediation.
Conclusions: Psychological capital significantly mediated the relationship between stress and mental health problems. Nurses with higher PsyCap demonstrated greater emotional stability and resilience under stress. Strengthening PsyCap may be an effective strategy to enhance nurses’ mental health and well-being in challenging clinical environments.
