Mitigating Female Nursing Professionals' COVID-19 Stress While Experiencing Intimate Partner Violence: The Role of Coworker Support.

Abstract

The current study examines the role of workplace support in reducing COVID-related stress among nursing professionals facing intimate partner violence (IPV) in the form of abuser-initiated workplace disruptions. Two research hypotheses were tested: (a) workplace disruptions increase nurses' stress levels during the pandemic, and (b) coworkers/workplace support significantly reduces stress that is associated with workplace disruptions. Primary data were collected from female nurses in one southern state (N = 290) who experienced IPV while employed. First, linear regression examined the impact of abuser-initiated workplace disruptions on nurses' COVID-19 stress. Second, a subsequent model included an interaction term to assess whether workplace supports moderated the link between workplace disruptions and COVID-19 stress. Missing data were handled using multiple imputations by chained equations. Findings show that IPV in the form of abuser-initiated workplace disruptions increases COVID-19-related stress. However, findings also show that workplace support can moderate this relationship and reduce stress outcomes. Nurses are experiencing record high stress and turnover rates due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath. Current findings establish that it is possible for workplace support to mitigate the adverse effect of abuse on nurses' COVID-19 stress. Implementing supportive tactics like asking IPV survivors what they need so that they can make the best decisions for their families, could reduce the mental health ramifications of COVID-19 into the future. Implications for health care administration and policy makers are discussed.