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
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