Factors influencing mindfulness among clinical nurses in China: An observational cross-sectional study

Aim The aim of this study was to evaluate factors influencing mindfulness among clinical nurses in China. Background Mindfulness has positive effects on nurses' negative emotions and job burnout. However, few studies have explored the antecedent variables of mindfulness. Methods A total of 358 clinical nurses in Beijing Aerospace Center Hospital completed a cross-sectional survey between July and September 2020. The study employed self-report questionnaires covering social demographics, mindfulness, anxiety, job burnout, emotion regulation, stress perception, resilience, well-being and loneliness. Results The mean Mindful Attention Awareness Scale score was 66.82 +/- 11.53, which is near the cut-off score between the high and medium mindfulness categories. Anxiety, stress perception, emotional exhaustion and expressive suppression negatively affected the level of mindfulness, while mental resilience and cognitive reappraisal positively influenced the level of mindfulness (all P < .05). Conclusion Hospital nurses have higher-than-normal levels of mindfulness. The mindfulness level of clinical nurses is related to anxiety, stress perception, resilience, cognitive reappraisal, emotional exhaustion and expressive suppression. Implications for nursing management Nursing managers should consider the role and mechanism of positive psychology and develop targeted intervention measures to improve nurses' mindfulness, in order to further reduce their negative emotions, improve their sense of professional benefit and thus ensure the quality and safety of nursing.