Anxiety and depression symptoms in nursing: a descriptive and inferential study

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21615/cesp.7180

Keywords:

anxiety, depression, nursing, mental health, occupational health

Abstract

This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the presence of anxiety and depression symptoms in 584 nursing professionals, as well as to verify possible differences in response means between groups formed based on several sociodemographic and occupational variables, correlations and predictive analyzes in relation to the symptoms. The following instruments were applied: sociodemographic and labor questionnaire, the Baptista Depression Scale (adult version) – EBADEP-A and the Cognitive Anxiety Scale (adult version) – ECOGA. It was found that most workers did not show high levels of anxiety and depression. Women had a higher presence of anxiety and depression symptoms; professionals aged up to 30 years and who worked for up to 10 years showed higher averages of anxiety; workers with double shifts reported higher symptoms of depression. The model with the best predictive capacity for depressive symptoms included the variables was being younger, being female, having a higher daily workload and having more than one job. Greater perception of anxiety symptoms was better explained by the variables being younger and female. It is concluded that sociodemographic and work factors should be considered when proposing mental health prevention strategies with nursing professionals, especially with regard to symptoms of depression and anxiety.

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Author Biographies

Jhenifer Prescilla Dias Fuzinelli, Universidad Estatal Paulista

Psychologist, master's and doctoral student at the São Paulo State University – UNESP – Bauru (SP) - Brazil.

Hugo Ferrari Cardoso, Universidad Estatal Paulista

Psychologist, master's, doctorate, and postdoctorate in Psychology. Undergraduate and postgraduate professor at São Paulo State University – UNESP – Bauru (SP) - Brazil.

Sandra Leal Calais, Universidade Estadual Paulista – UNESP – Bauru (SP) - Brasil

Psychologist, Master's and PhD in Psychology. Undergraduate and graduate professor at São Paulo State University – UNESP – Bauru (SP) - Brazil.

Makilim Nunes Baptista, Universidade São Francisco – Campinas (SP) - Brasil

Psychologist, master's, doctoral, and postdoctoral degree in Psychology. Undergraduate and postgraduate professor at the University of São Francisco – Campinas (SP) - Brazil.

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Published

2025-09-27

How to Cite

Prescilla Dias Fuzinelli, J., Cardoso, H. F., Leal Calais, S., & Nunes Baptista, M. (2025). Anxiety and depression symptoms in nursing: a descriptive and inferential study. Revista CES Psicología, 18(3), 16–29. https://doi.org/10.21615/cesp.7180

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Artículos Originales