The aim of this research is to analyze the role that children play between fear of contagion and distress in intensive care unit (ICU) nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic, taking into account possible work stressors. Cross-sectional study using an online survey. The selection of the sample was carried out by means of a non-probabilistic sampling for convenience, sending the link to professionals of the Spanish healthcare system who had been in contact with COVID-19 patients. Social networks were also used. Data was collected from May to July 2020. Mothers were selected from among the female nurses for participation in this study. The sample was composed of 283 female nurses working in critical care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Distress levels were significantly lower (F = 2.372, p = .048) in women with children over the age of 16 (M = 8.26, SD = 4.44) than in those without them (M = 10.30;DT = 3.75) (cohabitants). No differences were observed in worries about contagion between nurses with children (either under or over 16 years of age) and without children at home. The regression analysis found significant direct positive contributions of worries about contagion (p = .025) and the presence of children living at home (p = .033) on distress levels. We found a moderating effect of having children over 16 years old living at home in this relationship (β = 2.198, t = 2.422, p = .016, 95 percentCI = .406-3.992). Our results suggest higher levels of distress in ICU nurses who are working-mothers during COVID-19 pandemic. Living at home with children over 16 years of age has a moderating effect. Our study results point to the need to create action protocols that prepare the health system for outbreaks including early care actions with special emphasis on higher risk groups.
Keywords: COVID-19; intensive care units; mothers; nurses; stress, psychological.