The Relationship Between Social Support, Fear, and Psychological Distress Among Frontline Nurses During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Indonesia

The current cross-sectional study aimed to examine the relationship between social support, fear, and psychological distress among frontline nurses during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Participants from 20 wards for adult patients from public and private hospitals in Indonesia were recruited. The Fear of COVID-19 Scale, Job Stress Scale, and Perceived Social Support Question-naire were used to measure outcomes of interest. Questionnaires were completed by a total of 211 nurses. High risk working unit, higher fear score, younger age, less working experience, and less social support were significant influences on nurses psychological distress. Social support as a modifiable factor is a potential target for intervention strategies to manage psychological issues among nurses. Findings can help policymakers and managers better understand how to support frontline nurses psychological health and maintain well-engaged nursing staff.