Wang, Wei, Yao 2023

This cross-sectional study was conducted in Shandong Province, China. Shandong Province is located on the eastern coast of China, between 34°-38°north latitude and 114°-122°east longitude, and belongs to the mid-latitude region. All participants were ORNs from several general hospitals, selected between December 2021 and January 2022. A convenience sampling method was used; we completed the following steps: Firstly, we assessed the online questionnaires carefully and delivered them to nursing supervisors. Secondly, they forwarded the questionnaires to ORNs through WeChat groups, and the nurses filled these voluntarily. Finally, 787 eligible questionnaires were collected; the average response time for each questionnaire was approximately 29 minutes.

This study, conducted in Shandong Province, China, included operating room nurse (ORNs) participants. These ORNs were from several hospitals, and were selected to participate between December 2021 and January 2022. Questionnaires were assessed and delivered to nursing supervisors who cascaded the information to ORNs for voluntary completion. Once completed, 787 eligible questionnaires were collected for this study with an average response time of 29 minutes per questionnaire.

To enrich evidences about the associations between sunlight exposure and mental health, operating room nurses (ORNs) were interviewed in this study. There were several reasons to select ORNs to explore the association. Firstly, ORNs was a very special population without sunlight exposure in work because no windows exist in operating rooms. For most of the time, they were exposed to artificial light that met the lighting requirements of the operating room. These artificial lights had a similar intensity, therefore, the study of the ORNs facilitated the exclusion of part of artificial light’s interference and focused more on the effect sunlight. Secondly, ORNs worked in operating rooms for long time per day, even longer than surgeons; thus, focusing on their mental health status is necessary. Simultaneously, their working hours are predominantly during the day, thus their sunlight exposure out of work would be also short. Fewer previous studies had been conducted on populations who are continuously exposed to low levels of sunlight. Our study would add evidence to the lack. Thirdly, compared to the submarine workers23 who also worked without exposure to sunlight, ORNs had normal social interaction and work characteristics, so ORNs were more representative. These characteristics made them become suitable candidates for studying the association between sunlight exposure and mental health.

This study was conducted to contribute to existing research surrounding the effects of sunlight exposure on mental health by providing the unique data collected from operating room nurses. ORNs experience an absence of sunlight in their work environments, and a limited window for sunlight exposure outside of their work hours. When compared to submarine workers (a previous study conducted), ORNs had more normal social interactions both at work and outside of work, making this data more representative of the population.

A multiple linear regression model was used to analyze the factors associated with mental health (Table 2). After controlling for work-related variables, the results revealed that poor mental health was negatively associated with more sunlight exposure hours per day (β=−0.378, p=0.046). Further, we found that poor mental health was positively associated with chronic disease (β=3.514, p<0.001) and negatively related to sleep regularity (β=−3.341, p<0.001).The multiple linear regression model that we constructed was effective (adjusted R2=0.080, p<0.001)

Researchers used the multiple linear regression model to review all the data collected from ORNs. After they controlled the effects of work-related variables on the data, the researchers concluded that more sunlight exposure was associated with better mental health. Further review revealed that chronic disease was associated with poorer mental health, and a more regular sleep was associated with better mental health. The multiple linear regression model used to analyze this data was effective.

We surveyed ORNs and obtained the following critical findings. First, the mean K10 score of ORNs was 25.41(>25), suggesting that they had a relatively high level of psychological distress.29 Second, we found that sleep regularity, chronic diseases, and sunlight exposure time were associated with mental health. Third, sunlight exposure time still exhibited a positive correlation with mental health after adjusting for the multiple linear regression model; that is, as the sunlight exposure time increased, the mental health status improved. Results regarding ORNs’ mental health status were not optimistic. Of the 787 study subjects, 314 (39.9%) exhibited a score greater than or equal to 30 on the K10 scale—the fourth level of the scale’s evaluation, 29 indicating a poor psychological condition and a high risk of developing psychological disorders. The mean score was 25.41, which was significantly higher than that of the general population

The results of the study revealed critical findings. The average K10 score of the operating room nurses suggests that there is a high level of psychological distress. Additionally, it was found that regular sleep, chronic diseases and exposure to sunlight time are associated with mental health. Finally, exposure to sunlight demonstrated a positive correlation, meaning more sunlight resulted in better mental health. The ORNs mental health was not optimistic- 39.9% of ORNs (314/787 respondents) showed scores indicated poor mental health and a greater risk of developing psychological disorders. The average score of the group was notably higher than the population, with an average score of 25.41.

Future research should follow up on different professionals in hospital settings, such as personal support workers, physiotherapists, and allied health staff. Many individuals in hospital settings work shift work, and exploring similar associations between sunlight exposure, chronic disease, sleep regularity and mental health could provide a thorough understanding of mental health across healthcare employees in acute care. This future research would identify specific risks facing healthcare employees, and guide practices for mental health promotion among healthcare workers.

I often struggle when I am reviewing the results section of a research paper or article. There is a lot of statistic data provided to outline all of the data collected and often get lost in small details. I depend on the discussion portion of the papers to help me tie together what the data in the results section means in real-world situations.