Burdens and coping strategies among geriatric care nurses during COVID-19: A factorial survey.

BACKGROUND

Geriatric care nurses used different strategies to cope with the various burdens they faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, affecting care interactions and reflecting their professional identity.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the burdens and coping strategies of German geriatric care nurses, using professional identity as a conceptual framework.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional factorial survey using vignettes (i.e., hypothetical descriptions of care situations).

SETTING &

PARTICIPANTS

Stratified sampling was applied at the facility level, based on the distribution of nursing homes across German federal states. A total of 188 geriatric care nurses participated.

METHODS

The factorial online survey included socio-demographic variables, COVID-19-specific questions, vignettes, and feedback items. Descriptive statistics and multilevel regression analysis were conducted.

RESULTS

Participants reported higher stress during the pandemic than before. Burden characteristics described in the vignettes had no significant effect on participants' judgement behaviour. A random-intercept level 2 model showed that a higher workload and caring for residents significantly influenced participants' judgement. Closeness to family and friends, and seeking support from colleagues were effective coping strategies, while bending guidelines and harmful consumption behaviour were less effective.

CONCLUSIONS

Coping strategies focused on social interaction were particularly beneficial despite contact restrictions. The type of burden appeared less important than the ability to cope with it. The subordinate role of professional identity may reflect a shift towards functional care. We have highlighted the possible need to address stress management and working conditions of geriatric care nurses, especially in the light of potential future crises.

REGISTRATION: None.

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: A factorial survey exploring relevant burden and coping strategies German geriatric care nurses experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic.