The Effect on the Work Ability of Intensive Care Nurses of Psychological Distress During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Descriptive and Cross-sectional Study

Objective: This study aims to determine the effects of psychological distress on the work ability of intensive care nurses during the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Turkey. Materials and Methods: This study is descriptive and cross-sectional design. The sample consisted of 233 intensive care nurses. Data were collected via online Google forms with the Participant Information form, the COVID-19-related Psychological Distress scale (PDS), and the Work Ability index (WAI). In the analysis of data, Pearson and Spearman correlation analysis was used along with descriptive statistics. Results: A statistically significant positive correlation was found between the nurses' length of time working in the profession and their WAI scores (r=0.132, p=0.043), and a negative correlation was found with their COVID-19 PDS scores (r=-0.162, p=0.013). A statistically significant difference was found about WAI total scores in the effect on work ability of the working conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic (p<0.001). A statistically significant positive correlation was found between the WAI total score and the COVID-19 PDS sub-section of doubt (r=0.128, p=0.049). Conclusion: It was found that the work abilities and COVID-19 psychological distress levels of nurses were medium and there are relationship between them. It is recommended that the many factors affecting work ability and psychological distress be taken under control.