AUTHOR=Jin Fubi , Ni Shaomei , Wang Lin 

TITLE=Occupational stress, coping strategies, and mental health among clinical nurses in hospitals: a mediation analysis

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Public Health

VOLUME=Volume 13 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1537120

DOI=10.3389/fpubh.2025.1537120

ISSN=2296-2565

ABSTRACT=ObjectiveThis study aimed to examine the relationship between occupational stress and mental health among clinical nurses, focusing on the mediating role of coping strategies.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted among 600 clinical nurses from tertiary hospitals in Hangzhou, China. Data were collected using the Chinese Nurses’ Work Pressure Source Questionnaire, the Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90), and the Coping Strategies Scale. Mediation analysis was performed using Bootstrap to test the hypothesized mediating effects.ResultsThe results showed that occupational stress was positively associated with mental health issues (β = 0.42, p < 0.01), and coping strategies partially mediated this relationship (indirect effect = 0.18, 95% CI [0.11, 0.27]). Nurses in high-stress departments (e.g., surgery and ICU) reported significantly higher SCL-90 scores than the national norm (p < 0.05).ConclusionThe findings suggest that positive coping strategies can mitigate the adverse effects of occupational stress on mental health. Interventions targeting coping skills training may improve nurses’ well-being and reduce burnout.