Aim: The current research aimed to examine the impact of fear of COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of Frontline nurses.
Background: The current pandemic significantly impacted the mental, emotional and psychological health of Frontline nurses. To date and up to the researcher’s best knowledge, in Pakistan, no study was found to examine the impact of fear of COVID-19 on nurses mental and psychological well-being and job outcomes. Additionally, we explore the possible moderating variable, i.e., leadership support that may compensate for the negative impact of fear of COVID-19 on the mental health of nurses.
Methods: Through a cross-sectional research design, we contacted 380 Frontline nurses to participate in the study. We received their responses through standardized scales.
Results: It is found that an increase in fear of COVID-19 may also increase psychological distress, secondary trauma and turnover among Pakistani nurses. Further, we found that leader support moderates the significant relationship of fear of COVID-19 with nurses’ psychological distress, secondary trauma and turnover intention such that the effect of fear of COVID-19 on psychological distress, secondary trauma and turnover intention is low when leader support is high and vice versa.
Conclusions: It is concluded that hospital administrations should support, encourage and motivate Frontline nurses to reduce negative emotional and mental health issues. Corrective actions are needed to reduce fear among nurses as it adversely affects their mental health, well-being and job outcomes.
Implications for Nursing Management: Hospital administrations are advised to provide a safe and efficient work environment, ensured availability of personal protection equipment, provide adequate moral and financial support, encourage and motivate, offered training on how to effectively manage COVID-19 patients and share recent and correct information with Frontline nurses. These factors may reduce nurses fear of COVID-19, and they become able to perform their work roles effectively.