Published online Nov 19, 2026. doi: 10.5498/wjp.122321
Revised: June 23, 2026
Accepted: July 17, 2026
Published online: November 19, 2026
Processing time: 166 Days and 22.8 Hours
Operating room nurses, working in a persistently high-pressure and demanding work environment, are at high risk of psychological distress. Their mental health status not only affects personal well-being but is also closely related to patient safety and medical quality.
To study depression and anxiety symptoms in operating room nurses and explo
This cross-sectional survey recruited operating room nurses between October 2024 and October 2025. Participants completed general information questionnaires and standardized scales to collect data on demographics, occupational characteristics, anxiety and depression symptoms, and work environments. Pearson correlation and linear regression analyses were used to explore the relationship between depression, anxiety symptoms, and occupational environmental factors.
We surveyed 151 nurses. The prevalence of anxiety symptoms was 56.95% (76.75% mild, 18.60% moderate, 4.65% severe). The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 62.91% (56.84% mild, 34.74% moderate, 8.42% severe). Anxiety and depression varied significantly according to demographic and occupational factors. Higher rates were found among nurses aged 26-36 years, those with 6-10 years of operating room tenure, Nurse-in-Charge, and scrub nurses. Depression scores and prevalence were significantly higher among female nurses (all P < 0.05). Correlation analysis indicated significant negative associations between occupational environment and both anxiety and depressive symptoms (P < 0.05). Occupational environmental factors independently explained an additional 28.6% of the variance in anxiety symptoms and 7.6% of the variance in depression symptoms.
Operating room nurses showed high rates of anxiety and depression, which were negatively correlated with the occupational environment. Therefore, targeted mental-health interventions are required in this population.
Core Tip: We surveyed 151 operating room nurses. The prevalences of anxiety and depressive symptoms were 56.95% and 62.91%, respectively, with most cases being mild-to-moderate. Symptoms were more common among nurses aged 26-36 years, those with 6-10 years of experience, Nurse-in-Charge, and scrub nurses. Female nurses had significantly higher levels of depression than male nurses. The occupational environment was negatively correlated with anxiety and depression and was an independent influencing factor. Therefore, targeted mental-health interventions should be implemented.