Stress in hospital nurses: association between coping strategies and sociodemographic and occupational variables.

OBJECTIVES

to evaluate the associations between nurses' stress levels, coping strategies, and sociodemographic and occupational variables among hospital nurses.

METHODS

this descriptive, cross-sectional, quantitative study included 124 nurses from a university hospital in southern Brazil. Data were collected using self-administered instruments: a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Brazilian versions of Work Stress Scale, and the Work Coping Response Inventory. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive and inferential statistics.

RESULTS

stress levels ranged from low to moderate and high. Nurses with higher stress levels more frequently used escape-avoidance coping strategies, whereas those with lower stress levels reported better self-perceived mental health.

CONCLUSIONS

the findings support the development of institutional programs and the strengthening of comprehensive occupational health care guidelines within the Unified Health System.