Death Anxiety and Related Factors Among Iranian Critical Care Nurses: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study

Omega (Westport). 2024 Feb;88(3):1153-1167. doi: 10.1177/00302228211062368. Epub 2021 Dec 15.

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate death anxiety (DA) and related factors among critical care nurses. Using a cross-sectional research design, 325 critical care nurses in eight hospitals in Iran enrolled in the study. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that deputy head nurse (OR = 18.299; CI: 1.764-189.817; p = .015), shift morning fixed (OR = 8.061; CI: 1.503-43.243; p = .015), surviving parents (OR = 3.281; CI: 1.072-10.037; p = .037), number of children (OR = 1.866; CI: 1.157-3.010; p = .011), years of working experience (OR = 1.143; CI: 1.048-1.246; p = .003), number of end-of-life patient care in the last 3 months (OR = .900; CI: .828-0.977; p = .012), age (OR = .809; CI: .732-.893; p < .001), CCU nurses (OR = .250; CI: .100-.628; p = .003), and mild stressful life events (SLEs) (OR = .167; CI: .046-.611; p = .007) were significantly related to high DA. Therefore, nurse managers and policymakers should pay special attention to these related factors in developing programs to maintain and promote the health of critical care nurses to improve the quality of nursing care.

Keywords: critical care nurses; death; death anxiety; intensive care unit; nurses.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Anxiety
  • Child
  • Critical Care*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Humans
  • Iran
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Terminal Care*