The association of fear of COVID-19 on occupational stress in pediatric nurses: Examining the mediating role of psychological well-being

Purpose: This study investigated the associations of fear of COVID-19 with occupational stress and the mediating role of psychological well-being in pediatric nurses. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between December 2021 and February 2022. The sample consisted of 464 pediatric nurses from public or university hospitals in Turkiye. Data were collected using a sociodemographic characteristics questionnaire, the Fear of COVID-19 Scale, the Occupational Stress Scale, and the Psychological Well-Being Scale. The data were analyzed using Pearson's correlation and regression analysis. Results: Participants' fear of COVID-19 was positively associated with their occupational stress (F = 17.263; p < 0.001) but negatively associated with their psychological well-being (F =10.575; p = 0.001). Their psychological well-being was negatively associated with their occupational stress (F = 22.084; p < 0.001). Nurses fear of COVID-19 explained three and 2 % of their occupational stress and psychological well-being, respectively. Nurses' psychological well-being explained 4 % of their occupational stress. The results showed that participants' psychological well-being did not mediate between their fear of COVID-19 and occupational stress. Conclusion: Pediatric nurses fear COVID-19 but have an above-mean level of occupational stress and psychological well-being. In conclusion, psychological well-being does not mediate between pediatric nurses' fear of COVID-19 and occupational stress. Practice implications: The pandemic was a traumatic experience for pediatric nurses. Hospital administrators and nurse managers must monitor the psychosocial health of pediatric nurses and support them in times of crisis. (c) 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.