Predictors of Psychological Distress among Nurses: The Role of Burnout, Self-Esteem, Resilience, Age and Professional Experience

Abstract

Psychological distress is a frequently reported occupational health issue among nurses and is linked to suboptimal health, decreased job functioning, and poorer care quality. Although burnout, self-esteem, resilience, and demographic characteristics have individually been associated with psychological distress, limited evidence has examined their relative contribution within a single predictive model, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. To determine whether burnout, self-esteem, resilience, age, and professional experience significantly predict psychological distress among nurses working in a public tertiary care hospital in Pakistan. A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted among 140 registered nurses employed at the District Headquarters Hospital, Okara, Pakistan. Participants completed a demographic questionnaire, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21), Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), and Brief Resilience Scale (BRS). Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha. Pearson correlation analysis examined relationships among study variables, while multiple linear regression identified independent predictors of psychological distress. Statistical significance was established at p < 0.05. The study demonstrated acceptable to excellent internal consistency. Burnout was positively correlated with psychological distress whereas resilience and self-esteem were not significantly correlated with psychological distress. The regression model was statistically significant and explained 42.7% of the variance in psychological distress. The only significant predictor of psychological distress was burnout. Resilience, self-esteem, age, and professional experience were not significant predictors. Burnout was the strongest predictor of psychological distress among nurses, while self-esteem, age, and professional experience were not independently predictive of psychological distress. The results highlight the significance of organizational strategies for minimizing occupational burnout, enhancing nurses' mental health, and fostering a healthier healthcare workforce.