Influence of coping mechanisms on occupational stressors among Jordanian oncology nurses: a correlational study

Oncology nurses are at particular risk for closely related types of distress, such as compassion fatigue, burnout, occupational stress, and moral distress, because they are often the ones who must carry out what they consider to be medically futile treatments that may cause pain in a dying older patient. This study aimed to examine the influence of selected coping mechanisms on occupational stressors among oncology nurses in Jordan.

A descriptive, correlational, cross-sectional design was employed. Data were collected between February and March 2024 from oncology nurses working in three major teaching hospitals in Jordan. Occupational stressors were assessed using the Nurse Stress Scale (NSS), and coping mechanisms were measured using the Brief COPE. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analysis, and hierarchical multiple regression analysis were used to examine relationships between occupational stressors and coping mechanisms.

Pearson correlation analysis revealed a statistically significant moderate positive correlation between the NSS Death and Dying subscale and the Brief-COPE Problem-Focused Coping subscale (r = 0.254, p < 0.01). A significant positive correlation was also found between overall coping mechanisms and occupational stressors (r = 0.33, p < 0.01). Regression analysis further demonstrated that coping mechanisms were significant predictors of occupational stressors (β = 0.441, p < 0.001). The findings indicate that higher coping scores were associated with higher stress levels, suggesting that coping strategies were more frequently employed in response to elevated occupational stress rather than serving as a protective factor.

Jordanian oncology nurses who experience higher stress levels related to death and dying are more likely to employ problem-focused coping strategies, such as actively addressing challenges, seeking solutions, and obtaining support. Although these coping strategies are adaptive, the overall high stress levels observed suggest that occupational stress remains a serious concern for nurses' well-being and professional performance.