Anxiety sensitivity and intolerance of uncertainty as predictors of obsessive-compulsive symptoms among mother-nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study.

This cross-sectional study examined whether anxiety sensitivity and intolerance of uncertainty predicted obsessive–compulsive symptoms among mother-nurses working during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected online between 22 May and 22 August 2021 using an online snowball sampling method. The Personal Information Form, Dimensional Obsessive–Compulsive Scale (DOCS), Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3 (ASI-3), and Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale–Short Form (IUS-12) were administered. Ethical approval was obtained prior to data collection. The study included 255 participants (mean age = 37.98 years). Mean total scores were 31.38 ± 12.12 (DOCS), 42.45 ± 15.63 (ASI-3), and 37.05 ± 10.88 (IUS-12). Participants reported the highest DOCS mean score in the Microbes/Contamination dimension (9.19 ± 3.48). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that cognitive AS (β = 0.579, p < 0.001) and social AS (β = −0.248, p = 0.006) were associated with total DOCS scores, explaining 36.5% of the variance (R² = 0.365). At the subscale level, cognitive AS (β = 0.316, p = 0.007) and prospective IU (β = 0.221, p = 0.024) were associated with contamination symptoms (R² = 0.204). AS and IU were associated with obsessive–compulsive symptom levels across DOCS dimensions among mother-nurses during the pandemic. Given the use of online snowball sampling, the findings should be interpreted with caution regarding generalizability. These findings should be considered by nursing managers and consultation liaison psychiatric nurses to provide a specific program for nurses who have dual roles nurses during life threating service times.