Analysis of risk factors for subjective stress among nurses caring for patients with delirium: a cross-sectional, multicentre survey

Abstract Background Nurses experience subjective stress and challenges in the context of caring for patients with delirium. These stresses can cause psychological damage to nurses and may affect the quality of delirium care. However, few multicentre studies have empirically explored the risk factors...

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Main Authors: Tianxiang Jiang, Yangling Ge, Wei Zhang, Xiaoqiong Wang, Weili Zhao, Xiaotong Yuan, Haochong He, Xiuzhi Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-07-01
Series:BMC Nursing
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-025-03568-x
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author Tianxiang Jiang
Yangling Ge
Wei Zhang
Xiaoqiong Wang
Weili Zhao
Xiaotong Yuan
Haochong He
Xiuzhi Zhang
author_facet Tianxiang Jiang
Yangling Ge
Wei Zhang
Xiaoqiong Wang
Weili Zhao
Xiaotong Yuan
Haochong He
Xiuzhi Zhang
author_sort Tianxiang Jiang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Nurses experience subjective stress and challenges in the context of caring for patients with delirium. These stresses can cause psychological damage to nurses and may affect the quality of delirium care. However, few multicentre studies have empirically explored the risk factors for subjective stress among nurses caring for patients with delirium. This study aimed to investigate the status of and risk factors for subjective stress among nurses caring for patients with delirium. Methods A multicentre, cross-sectional survey was conducted between November and December 2023 among a population-based convenience sample of nurses from three tertiary hospitals in Taizhou, Zhejiang Province. Demographic data, delirium care-related information, and scores on the Strain of Care for Delirium Index (SCDI) were collected for analysis. Results Hyperactive/hyperalert behavior had the highest overall mean score (3.18 ± 0.57), and hypoactive behavior had the lowest overall mean score (2.05 ± 0.58). The significant variables from the univariate analysis were included in multiple linear regression analysis for further analysis, with the SCDI total score as the dependent variable. Receiving training regarding delirium, having an intermediate title or above, working in a department with a standardized delirium management process, lower workload and more positive attitudes towards delirium were associated with lower levels of subjective stress among nurses caring for patients with delirium, accounting for 83.5% of the total variance. Conclusions This study provides insights into the risk factors for subjective stress among nurses caring for patients with delirium. Our findings suggest that educational programs, supportive measures, and standardized delirium management programs are crucial ways of reducing the burden faced by nurses. Nursing managers need to focus on the stresses experienced by nurses in the context of delirium care, address relevant barriers, and allocate appropriate resources. Clinical trial number Not applicable.
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spelling doaj-art-d146e4a1c7f440c0b0e4bb91f581ab232025-08-20T04:01:53ZengBMCBMC Nursing1472-69552025-07-0124111110.1186/s12912-025-03568-xAnalysis of risk factors for subjective stress among nurses caring for patients with delirium: a cross-sectional, multicentre surveyTianxiang Jiang0Yangling Ge1Wei Zhang2Xiaoqiong Wang3Weili Zhao4Xiaotong Yuan5Haochong He6Xiuzhi Zhang7Intensive Care Unit, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical UniversityIntensive Care Unit, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical UniversityIntensive Care Unit, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical UniversityGeneral Practice Ward, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical UniversityIntensive Care Unit, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical UniversitySchool of Nursing, Dalian UniversityDepartment of Nursing, Guangdong Jiangmen Chinese Medical CollegeCardiology Department, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical UniversityAbstract Background Nurses experience subjective stress and challenges in the context of caring for patients with delirium. These stresses can cause psychological damage to nurses and may affect the quality of delirium care. However, few multicentre studies have empirically explored the risk factors for subjective stress among nurses caring for patients with delirium. This study aimed to investigate the status of and risk factors for subjective stress among nurses caring for patients with delirium. Methods A multicentre, cross-sectional survey was conducted between November and December 2023 among a population-based convenience sample of nurses from three tertiary hospitals in Taizhou, Zhejiang Province. Demographic data, delirium care-related information, and scores on the Strain of Care for Delirium Index (SCDI) were collected for analysis. Results Hyperactive/hyperalert behavior had the highest overall mean score (3.18 ± 0.57), and hypoactive behavior had the lowest overall mean score (2.05 ± 0.58). The significant variables from the univariate analysis were included in multiple linear regression analysis for further analysis, with the SCDI total score as the dependent variable. Receiving training regarding delirium, having an intermediate title or above, working in a department with a standardized delirium management process, lower workload and more positive attitudes towards delirium were associated with lower levels of subjective stress among nurses caring for patients with delirium, accounting for 83.5% of the total variance. Conclusions This study provides insights into the risk factors for subjective stress among nurses caring for patients with delirium. Our findings suggest that educational programs, supportive measures, and standardized delirium management programs are crucial ways of reducing the burden faced by nurses. Nursing managers need to focus on the stresses experienced by nurses in the context of delirium care, address relevant barriers, and allocate appropriate resources. Clinical trial number Not applicable.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-025-03568-xDeliriumNursesSubjective stressRisk factorsCross-sectional survey
spellingShingle Tianxiang Jiang
Yangling Ge
Wei Zhang
Xiaoqiong Wang
Weili Zhao
Xiaotong Yuan
Haochong He
Xiuzhi Zhang
Analysis of risk factors for subjective stress among nurses caring for patients with delirium: a cross-sectional, multicentre survey
BMC Nursing
Delirium
Nurses
Subjective stress
Risk factors
Cross-sectional survey
title Analysis of risk factors for subjective stress among nurses caring for patients with delirium: a cross-sectional, multicentre survey
title_full Analysis of risk factors for subjective stress among nurses caring for patients with delirium: a cross-sectional, multicentre survey
title_fullStr Analysis of risk factors for subjective stress among nurses caring for patients with delirium: a cross-sectional, multicentre survey
title_full_unstemmed Analysis of risk factors for subjective stress among nurses caring for patients with delirium: a cross-sectional, multicentre survey
title_short Analysis of risk factors for subjective stress among nurses caring for patients with delirium: a cross-sectional, multicentre survey
title_sort analysis of risk factors for subjective stress among nurses caring for patients with delirium a cross sectional multicentre survey
topic Delirium
Nurses
Subjective stress
Risk factors
Cross-sectional survey
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-025-03568-x
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