Determining Factors of Nurses’ Quality of Life Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background During the COVID-19 pandemic, nurses faced increased psychological burdens due to prolonged exposure to patients, resulting in diminished quality of life (QOL). Sense of coherence (SOC) has been recognized as a crucial psychological resource that enhances coping capacity and promotes QOL. Objectives This study aimed to examine the factors associated with QOL among nurses, particularly focusing on the role of SOC in mitigating job stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 798 staff nurses at a university hospital in Japan in December 2021 using four validated self-administered measures to assess SOC, job stress, social support, and QOL. Of the distributed questionnaires, 144 were returned (response rate: 18%). Multiple regression analyses were performed to explore factors predicting mental health-related QOL. Results Among nurses who cared for COVID-19 patients, job stress (β = 0.311, p = .018) and the manageability subscale of SOC (β = 0.282, p = .047) significantly predicted higher QOL scores. These associations were not observed among nurses who did not care for COVID-19 patients. Conclusions Enhancing the manageability aspect of SOC may be a protective factor against psychological stress in nurses caring for COVID-19 patients. These findings highlight the importance of localized psychological support strategies－such as structured peer support, resilience training, and organizational transparency－to help nurses maintain mental well-being and QOL during and beyond pandemic conditions.