Psychological Capital as a Moderator in the Relationship between Fear of COVID-19 and Sleep Quality among Frontline Healthcare Workers

Abstract

Abstract The quality of sleep is a critical psychological concern for numerous frontline healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic. While prior research has examined the factors contributing to mental health difficulties among these workers, there remains a gap in understanding how the fear of COVID-19 affects their sleep quality. Furthermore, the potential role of psychological capital (PsyCap) in alleviating the adverse effects of COVID-19-related fear on sleep quality has not been extensively studied. This research aimed to explore the moderating effect of PsyCap on the relationship between fear of COVID-19 and sleep quality among 389 frontline healthcare workers in Nigeria. Regression analysis indicated that those experiencing elevated levels of fear related to COVID-19 reported diminished sleep quality. Conversely, individuals with higher PsyCap demonstrated improved sleep quality. Notably, sleep quality significantly enhanced in frontline healthcare workers with high fear levels when they also possessed high PsyCap. The findings suggest the necessity of implementing psychological interventions aimed at bolstering PsyCap among healthcare workers to alleviate stress and enhance sleep quality during the COVID-19 pandemic and in future health crises.