Effects of social support on mental health for critical care nurses during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic in Japan: A web‐based cross‐sectional study

AIM: The aim of this study was to examine whether high social support has a protective effect on mental health for critical care nurses during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic. METHODS: This cross‐sectional anonymous web‐based survey was conducted from November 5 to December 5, 2020, in Japan and included critical care nurses. The invitation was distributed via mailing lists. RESULTS: Of the 334 responses that were obtained, 64.4% were from female respondents, and their mean age was 37.4. Of the total, 269 (80.5%) were taking care of COVID‐19 patients at the time the study was conducted. Participants with post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms were found to be older (P < 0.05), and those with an education level of a 4‐year college degree or higher had fewer PTSD symptoms (P < 0.05). Those experiencing anxiety and depressive symptoms had lower social support scores. Having a 4‐year college degree and higher (odds ratio [OR] 0.622, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.39–0.99) was significantly associated with a lower probability of PTSD. Social support scores and the female sex were not associated with PTSD. Regarding anxiety symptoms, being female and having lower social support were independently associated with a higher probability. Regarding depression symptoms, lower social support was independently associated with a higher probability (OR 0.953, 95% CI 0.93–0.97). CONCLUSION: It was found that social support was not associated with PTSD; however, it was associated with depression and anxiety symptoms for intensive care nurses during the COVID‐19 pandemic.