An investigation into the relationship between nurses' disaster preparedness and their stress coping styles

This study aimed to rigorously examine the relationship between nurses' levels of disaster preparedness and their stress coping styles. A cross-sectional, descriptive-correlational research design was adopted to identify and analyze the potential associations between these two variables. The study population consisted of nurses working in institutions affiliated with the Diyarbakır Provincial Health Directorate, including Selahaddin Eyyubi State Hospital (n = 428), Diyarbakır Children's Hospital (n = 430), Dağkapı State Hospital (n = 86), Diyarbakır Gazi Yaşargil Training and Research Hospital (n = 1134), and Dicle University Hospital (n = 956). The final sample included 787 nurses who met the inclusion criteria and voluntarily agreed to participate in the study. Data were collected through a Demographic Information Form (Appendix-1) developed by the researcher based on a comprehensive literature review, the Nurses' Core Competencies for Disaster Preparedness Scale (Appendix-2), and the Stress Coping Styles Scale (Appendix-3). Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, Independent Samples t-test, One-Way ANOVA, and Pearson Correlation Analysis. The mean total score of the Nurses' Core Competencies for Disaster Preparedness Scale was 138.73 ± 38.70. These findings indicate that while nurses perceived their disaster-related professional competencies at varying levels, their overall preparedness was evaluated as sufficient. Pearson correlation analysis revealed statistically significant and positive correlations between disaster preparedness and specific subdimensions of stress coping styles. The strongest correlation was found between the self-confident approach and overall disaster preparedness (r = 0.254, p < 0.01), followed by communication skills (r = 0.255, p < 0.01) and technical skills (r = 0.251, p < 0.01). In conclusion, a significant and positive association was observed between nurses' disaster preparedness and their coping styles. It is strongly recommended that nursing curricula and institutional disaster preparedness programs be enhanced to support both theoretical knowledge and practical competencies, while also fostering psychological resilience in the face of crisis situations.