The mediating role of disaster response self-efficacy in the effect of disaster anxiety on the willingness to work in disasters among the nurses.

Background: Disasters disrupt societies and exceed their capacities to cope, necessitating external support. Nurses play a critical role in disaster response, but disaster anxiety can negatively impact their willingness to work in such situations. Disaster response self-efficacy is positively impact nurse's willingness to work in disasters. This study aimed to examine the mediating role of disaster response self-efficacy in the effect of disaster anxiety on the willingness to work in disasters among nurses.

Methods: A cross-sectional and descriptive study was conducted among 273 nurses from a university hospital in Türkiye using a random sampling method. Data were collected through validated scales, including the Disaster Response Self-Efficacy Scale, Disaster Anxiety Scale and a single-item measure for willingness to work in disasters. Analysis involved SPSS, AMOS, and PROCESS Model 4 to assess mediation effects.

Results: Disaster anxiety negatively influenced both disaster response self-efficacy (β = -0.110) and willingness to work during disasters (β = -0.219). However, disaster response self-efficacy was positively associated with willingness to work (β = 0.178), demonstrating a mediating effect. The total effect of disaster anxiety on willingness to work, mediated by disaster response self-efficacy, was - 0.161.

Conclusions: Disaster response self-efficacy partially mediates the negative impact of disaster anxiety on nurses' willingness to work during disasters. While disaster response self-efficacy mitigates the adverse effects of disaster anxiety, it does not fully reverse them. National and institutional health and nursing policies should focus on reducing disaster anxiety and strengthening nurses' disaster preparedness to ensure effective disaster relief and response.