Exploring the Societal Impact of Death Anxiety on Mental Health Among Nurses: A Positive Psychology Perspective

Grazcea Lisa (a. Graduate School of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Australia)
Elizabet Macle (b. School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia)

Safety and Health for Medical Workers
Vol. 1 No. 3 (2024): October

Objective: This study aimed to determine the relationship between death anxiety and mental health of nurses and the moderating effects of coping strategies, work engagement (WE), humility, and empirical norms on mental health.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted to gather information from nurses in diverse care settings. The study utilized validated measures of death anxiety, coping strategies, work engagement, and mental health outcomes, with subsequent regression analysis elucidating significant relationships.Findings: The results indicate complex interrelationships between death anxiety and well-being, and demonstrate the importance of specific coping styles and personality factors in the maintenance of emotional health. Work engagement, and the influence of the society on workers spontaneity seem to have a major role in combating stress and enhancing well-being.Novelty: This study is original in that it weaves concepts from positive psychology throughout its examination of death anxiety in nurses to provide new insights into the interplay of internal and external forces shaping nurses' well-being.Research Implications: Supporting the emergence of healthy psychological workspace with demanding intervention can boost coping mechanism and directly increase the quality of care as well as nurse’s happiness.