Anxiety and Insomnia Mediate the Association of Fear of Infection and Fatigue: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Nurses Deployed to a COVID-19 Epicenter in China

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to test the mediating role of anxiety and insomnia in the association between fear of infection and fatigue. METHODS: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted on the nurses deployed to Heihe. A serial multiple mediation model was established to determine the role of anxiety and insomnia in the association between fear of infection and fatigue. FINDINGS: Over half (53.0%) of the study participants reported experiencing fear of infection despite stringent personal protection measures. The scores of anxiety (11.87±5.19), insomnia (16.33±5.95), and fatigue (45.94±12.93) were moderately correlated, with a Pearson correlation coefficient ranging from 0.501 to 0.579. Anxiety, either alone or in combination with insomnia, mediated the association between fear of infection and fatigue. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that anxiety and insomnia play a mediating role in the relationship between fear of infection and fatigue. These results emphasize the importance of implementing targeted mental health interventions and work arrangements to address the well-being of healthcare professionals.