Relationship between social support and mental health among nurses in China:a Meta-analysis

Objective To explore the overall relationship between social support and mental health among Chinese nurses and analyze potential moderators and provide a theoretical basis for improving nurses' mental health level. Methods The CNKI database, CQVIP, WAN-FANG DATA and China Outstanding Dissertations Database were searched for literature, in which the social support rating scale (SSRS, measured social support) and self-rating symptom scale (SCL-90, measured mental health) was used to investigate the correlation of social support and mental health in Chinese nurses. A total of 25 articles (including 25 independent samples, 4747 nurses) met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed by meta-analysis and meta-regression. Results The overall mean effect size calculation showed a significant negative correlation between social support and depression among Chinese nurses (r=-0.17, 95%CI=-0. 24~-0.09, p < 0.01). In the following analysis, the objective support, compared with subjective support and utilization degree, was more strongly correlated with SCL-90 (r=-0.20, -0.15, -0.13, Q=13.45, p < 0.01). In addition, the relationship could be influenced by factors such as age, publishing type, publishing age and region. Conclusions The social support is closely related to mental health in Chinese nurses, and the relationship could be influenced by the related factors. At the same time, the relationship between objective support and mental health is more closely related than subjective support and support utilization. Key words: Nurses; Mental health; Social support; Meta-analysis