Research Article

Impact of Protective Equipment on Nurses' Positive-Negative Affects and Perceived Stress Levels: A Descriptive, Cross-Sectional, and Analytical Study

Volume: 16 Number: 2 May 24, 2026
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Impact of Protective Equipment on Nurses' Positive-Negative Affects and Perceived Stress Levels: A Descriptive, Cross-Sectional, and Analytical Study

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the effect of personal protective equipment use on nurses' emotions and stress perceptions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Material and Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional and analytical study was conducted with 389 nurses working in a state hospital in Türkiye. Study data were collected using the Positive-Negative Emotion Scale and the Perceived Stress Scale.

Results: The mean positive emotion score of the participants was 27.20±5.95, the mean negative emotion score was 31.12±6.66, and the mean perceived stress score was 40.57±7.17. Positive emotion was significantly higher according to gender, department worked in, and having sufficient equipment (p=0.010; p=0.001; p=0.001; p=0.001, respectively); income status, working hours; department worked in, negative emotions according to having sufficient equipment (p=0.007; p=0.001; p=0.001; p=0.006, respectively); the difference between the mean scores of perceived stress according to age, income status, working years, working hours, department worked in, and having sufficient equipment is statistically significant (p=0.044; p=0.001; p=0.014; p=0.005; p=0.022; p=0.001, respectively). It was determined that the use of only visors among protective equipment reduced positive emotions (p<0.05); the use of all equipment, overalls and boxing increased negative emotions, and the use of masks reduced (p<0.05); the use of all protective equipment increased perceived stress; and the use of only masks reduced perceived stress (p<0.05).

Conclusion: It was determined that the use of protective equipment affected nurses' positive-negative emotions and perception of stress.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

Necessary permissions for this study were obtained from the Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University Non-Interventional Clinical Research Ethics Committee (Protocol No: 2021/03), the Ethics Committee of the Ministry of Health (Protocol No: 30707382-799). The study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Nursing (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

May 24, 2026

Submission Date

June 21, 2025

Acceptance Date

April 22, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 16 Number: 2

APA
Kuzu Akın, T., & Kuzu Durmaz, A. (2026). Impact of Protective Equipment on Nurses’ Positive-Negative Affects and Perceived Stress Levels: A Descriptive, Cross-Sectional, and Analytical Study. Value in Health Sciences, 16(2), 209-217. https://doi.org/10.33631/sabd.1724376
AMA
1.Kuzu Akın T, Kuzu Durmaz A. Impact of Protective Equipment on Nurses’ Positive-Negative Affects and Perceived Stress Levels: A Descriptive, Cross-Sectional, and Analytical Study. VHS. 2026;16(2):209-217. doi:10.33631/sabd.1724376
Chicago
Kuzu Akın, Tuğçe, and Ayşe Kuzu Durmaz. 2026. “Impact of Protective Equipment on Nurses’ Positive-Negative Affects and Perceived Stress Levels: A Descriptive, Cross-Sectional, and Analytical Study”. Value in Health Sciences 16 (2): 209-17. https://doi.org/10.33631/sabd.1724376.
EndNote
Kuzu Akın T, Kuzu Durmaz A (May 1, 2026) Impact of Protective Equipment on Nurses’ Positive-Negative Affects and Perceived Stress Levels: A Descriptive, Cross-Sectional, and Analytical Study. Value in Health Sciences 16 2 209–217.
IEEE
[1]T. Kuzu Akın and A. Kuzu Durmaz, “Impact of Protective Equipment on Nurses’ Positive-Negative Affects and Perceived Stress Levels: A Descriptive, Cross-Sectional, and Analytical Study”, VHS, vol. 16, no. 2, pp. 209–217, May 2026, doi: 10.33631/sabd.1724376.
ISNAD
Kuzu Akın, Tuğçe - Kuzu Durmaz, Ayşe. “Impact of Protective Equipment on Nurses’ Positive-Negative Affects and Perceived Stress Levels: A Descriptive, Cross-Sectional, and Analytical Study”. Value in Health Sciences 16/2 (May 1, 2026): 209-217. https://doi.org/10.33631/sabd.1724376.
JAMA
1.Kuzu Akın T, Kuzu Durmaz A. Impact of Protective Equipment on Nurses’ Positive-Negative Affects and Perceived Stress Levels: A Descriptive, Cross-Sectional, and Analytical Study. VHS. 2026;16:209–217.
MLA
Kuzu Akın, Tuğçe, and Ayşe Kuzu Durmaz. “Impact of Protective Equipment on Nurses’ Positive-Negative Affects and Perceived Stress Levels: A Descriptive, Cross-Sectional, and Analytical Study”. Value in Health Sciences, vol. 16, no. 2, May 2026, pp. 209-17, doi:10.33631/sabd.1724376.
Vancouver
1.Tuğçe Kuzu Akın, Ayşe Kuzu Durmaz. Impact of Protective Equipment on Nurses’ Positive-Negative Affects and Perceived Stress Levels: A Descriptive, Cross-Sectional, and Analytical Study. VHS. 2026 May 1;16(2):209-17. doi:10.33631/sabd.1724376