Perceived Organizational Support and Its Relationship with Anxiety and Depression Among Neonatal Nurses: A Lesson from COVID-19 for Future Health Crises

Abstract

Background: Neonatal nurses may experience anxiety and depression, which can contribute to increased turnover rates. Although some studies have reported correlations among perceived organizational support (POS), anxiety, and depression, empirical evidence remains limited. Objectives: This study aimed to examine the relationship between POS, anxiety, and depression in neonatal nurses. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, data were collected from 306 neonatal nurses using a consecutive sampling technique in Tehran, Iran. Data were collected using online scales, including POS and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scales (HADSs) from December 2020 to January 2021. For data analysis, the t-test, Pearson correlation coefficients, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and multiple linear regressions were performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16. Results: The neonatal nurses' POS score was below 50% of the maximum possible score. More than half of the nurses reported mild to severe anxiety and depression [52.9% (n = 162); 58.2% (n = 178)]. A moderate inverse correlation was observed between anxiety and POS (R = -0.359, P < 0.001), and a slight inverse correlation was found between depression and POS (R = -0.303, P < 0.001). Analysis showed that POS was significantly correlated with age (R = 0.137; P = 0.017) and employment status (F = 5.044; P = 0.007) among neonatal nurses. Regression analysis indicated that anxiety was the only statistically significant predictor of POS (β = -0.274, P < 0.001; R² = 0.157). Conclusions: Healthcare managers play a crucial role in reducing depression, especially anxiety, by increasing POS interventions, thus leading to more effective neonatal care. Moreover, improving leadership styles and training nurses on coping methods in the face of global pandemics are highly recommended. Therefore, managers and policy-makers in this sector should adopt measures to optimize POS initiatives.