The influence of workplace stress and coping on depressive symptoms among registered nurses in Bangladesh

Background: Nurses report high levels of workplace stress, which has been linked to an
increased risk for experiencing depressive symptoms. Nurses’ workplace stress is also linked
to increased absenteeism and decreased job satisfaction.
Objectives: The objectives of this study were to examine: (1) the incidence of depressive
symptoms among hospital-based registered nurses in Bangladesh; (2) common sources of
workplace stress and their relationships to individual characteristics and depressive symptom
scores; and (3) the potential mediating roles of coping strategies in the relationship between
workplace stress and depressive symptoms.
Methods: A cross-sectional study design involved three hundred and fifty-two registered
nurses. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire and three standardized tools
measuring sources of nurses’ workplace stress, coping strategies, and depressive symptoms.
Results: More than half of the participants scored ≥ 16 on the CES-D, which was associated
with a major depression episode. Total NSS scores had a small but significant influence on
scores on the depression scale. Coping strategies had no mediated effect on the relationship
between workplace stress and scores on the depression scale. Low-reliability coefficients for
subscales of two of the standardized tools highlight the challenge for researchers in developing
countries to address contextual differences that may influence the meanings attached to
individual items.
Conclusion: Findings suggest that the mental health of registered nurses in Bangladesh
requires immediate attention in part by attending to workplace stressors. Further research
should focus on a deeper understanding of Bangladeshi registered nurses’ work experiences
and the unique contribution that workplace stressors have on their physical and mental health.