Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore the association between religion/spirituality (r/s) and mental health outcomes in hospital-based nursing staff.
BACKGROUND: The relationship between r/s and health has been studied extensively. Most frequently, r/s has been studied in association with mental health outcomes, including depression, anxiety, and distress among patients. However, hospital-based nurses suffer from the mental health effects of working in high-stress work environments. To date, little research has focused on the relationship between r/s and mental health outcomes in nurses.
METHODS: A cross-sectional online survey was completed by 207 nurses from 6 community hospitals.
RESULTS: Approximately half of the nurses sampled identified as religious, whereas nearly 75% identified as spiritual. There were significant associations between measures of r/s and mental health outcomes such as depression, anxiety, and mental well-being.
CONCLUSIONS: This whole-person assessment of nurses may inform future retention and engagement strategies focused on faith-based interventions.