OBJECTIVETo study the mental health status and its affecting factors in nurses of general hospitals.

METHODSFour hundred and seventy nurses in general hospitals were investigated with SCL-90, Self-Rating Life Events and coping style questionnaires.

RESULTSThe scores of SCL-90 factors, such as anxiety, obsessive-compulsion, phobia, somatization, were higher than the norm (P < 0.05). 22% of the nurses had two factors higher than 2, and 5.3% ever had suicidal idea. The total score of SCL-90 and some factorial scores in < 40 years age group were higher than in older age groups (P < 0.01), and in III grade hospital nurses were also higher than in II grade hospital nurses (P < 0.01). The scores of negative life events, negative coping style and work load from abnormal psychology group were higher than normal group, while positive coping score was lower than normal group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Stepwise regression analysis showed that, negative life events, coping style, hospital grade had predictive value for total score of SCL-90 and anxiety, depression etc factorial scores (P < 0.01). Age had negative predictive value for anxiety, hostility and phobia (P < 0.05). The total score from work events had predictive value for obsession and hostility, and positive events from work had predictive value for anxiety and the total score of SCL-90 (P < 0.01). The total interpersonal relationship events and negative interpersonal relationship events had predictive value for hostility and interpersonal sensitivity.

CONCLUSIONGeneral hospital nurses especially in ages < 40 group had higher incidences of mental health problems. The main influencing factors are negative life events, coping style, work load, interpersonal relationship, age and hospital grade.