Coping Mechanisms of Nurses Working in Mental Health Settings
Introduction
Psychiatric nursing is among the most emotionally demanding specialties in
healthcare, with nurses routinely exposed to patient trauma, aggression, and
therapeutic setbacks. Without effective coping strategies, these stressors can lead
to burnout, secondary traumatic stress, and attrition (Morse et al., 2022). This
paper explores#adaptive and maladaptive coping mechanisms#employed by
mental health nurses, institutional support systems, and evidence-based strategies
to promote long-term resilience.
Stressors Unique to Psychiatric Nursing
Nurses in mental health settings face distinct challenges:
1. Emotional Labor:
oManaging patients’ intense emotions (e.g., suicidal ideation,
psychosis) while suppressing personal reactions.
2. Workplace Violence:
o40% of psychiatric nurses report physical assault annually (NIOSH,
2023).
3. Moral Distress:
oEthical dilemmas (e.g., involuntary confinement, limited treatment
resources).
4. Compassion Fatigue:
oEmotional exhaustion from repeated exposure to suffering.
Adaptive Coping Mechanisms
1. Individual Strategies
Emotional Regulation:
