| Abstract [eng] |
Introduction. Nurses are essential to public health, contributing to patient care, education, and disease prevention. However, shift work, high workload, and emotional stress increase their risk of mental and physical health issues. Unhealthy habits such as poor nutrition and low physical activity are common. This study aimed to assess how nutrition and physical activity are related to the psychological well-being of nurses. Aim: To identify the links between nurses’ mental health and health-related behaviors, such as physical activity and nutrition. Objectives:1. To assess the mental health status of nurses. 2. To evaluate nurses’ physical activity and dietary habits. 3. To examine the associations between mental health and health-related behaviors—physical activity and nutrition. Methods and Materials. The study was conducted in collaboration with a student of this study program, Ema Butkutė, using a quantitative method and standardized questionnaires (Adult lifestyle Questionnaire, depression, anxiety, stress Questionnaire, Well-Being Questionnaire) and sociodemographic questions. The study involved 504 nurses, selected through convenience and snowball sampling. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Spearman correlation, chi-square, and Kruskal–Wallis tests, with IBM SPSS 24.0 and Microsoft Excel 2016. The study was conducted in 2024–2025 following ethical principles and with approval from the Vilnius University Ethics Committee. Results. The study found significant links between sociodemographic factors and both lifestyle and mental health indicators. Higher body mass index was more common among older nurses with longer work experience, lower education levels, and poorer health ratings. Younger, more educated, and healthier nurses were more physically active. Healthier dietary behaviors—such as frequent fruit and vegetable intake and reduced salt use—were more prevalent among older nurses with higher education and better-perceived quality of life. Better mental health was more often reported by physically active and health-conscious nurses, who experienced fewer symptoms of depression, anxiety,stress and had higher psychological well-being scores. Conclusions. Nurses’ mental health is generally rated positively, though some experience emotional difficulties, particularly those who are younger and rate their health poorly. Physical activity and healthy nutrition were more common among younger, educated nurses with better self-reported well-being. Health-promoting behaviors are associated with better mental health – more physically active and healthier-eating respondents experience lower levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. |
