The mediating role of social support on the relationship between secondary traumatic stress and burnout of nurses caring for COVID-19 patients: A cross-sectional study

Background

Social support can help nurses cope with occupational stress and trauma, and maintain overall well-being, particularly in stressful situations such as outbreaks.

Aim

To determine the mediating role of social support on the relationship between secondary traumatic stress (STS) and burnout among nurses who cared for COVID-19 patients.

Design

A cross-sectional, correlational, descriptive design.

Methods

Two hundred nurses who had provided direct care to COVID-19 patients were recruited from wards in two hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected using the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support and the Professional Quality of Life Scale tools.

Results

STS had a significant and positive correlation with burnout (r = 0.610, p = 0.000); social support from family, friends, and significant others were each significantly and negatively associated with STS (r = −0.147, p = 0.038; r = −0.547, p < 0.0001; r = −0.225, p = 0.001, respectively) and burnout (r = 0–0.282, p < 0.0001; r = −0.716, p = 0.026; r = −0.377, p < 0.0001, respectively). STS had a significant effect on social support (β = −0.21, p = 0.042) and burnout (β = 0.61, p < 0.0001). Social support had a significant and partial effect on the relationship between STS and burnout (Z = 2.99, p = 0.002).

Conclusion

Social support can reduce and mitigate the negative effects of STS and burnout. This understanding could enhance nurses' occupational lives by assisting policymakers and nurse managers in creating positive work environments that promote social support. Such policies could reduce the incidence and impact of burnout and STS.