Factors associated with mental health status of hospital nurses

Association of individual and work-related factors as well as fatigue and quality of life (QoL) with the occurrence of mental health problems (MHPs) among 990 Iranian hospital nurses was investigated in this cross-sectional study. A questionnaire was used to collect data on individual and work-related factors, MHPs (by the General Health Questionnaire [GHQ–12]), fatigue (using the Multi-dimensional Fatigue Inventory [MFI–20]), and QoL (using the World Health Organization Quality of Life–BREF [WHOQOL–BREF]). MHPs (26.2% had GHQ–12 score ≥ 4), fatigue (particularly general, physical and mental fatigue), and poor QoL were frequent among nurses. Multivariate logistic regression modelling indicated that job experience (years), total fatigue score of the MFI–20 and its general fatigue and mental fatigue dimensions, as well as psychological health and social relationship domains of the WHOQOL–BREF were independently associated with the presence of MHPs. The findings add to the understand of the potential consequences of adverse working conditions of hospital nurses and highlight the need for ergonomic and psychosocial interventions to improve fatigue, QoL and mental health status in this occupational group. •Mental health problems (MHPs), fatigue and poor quality of life were frequent among nurses.•Total fatigue score of the MFI–20 and its general fatigue and mental fatigue dimensions were associated with the MHPs.•Psychological health and social relationship domains of the WHOQOL–BREF were associated with the MHPs.