The mediating effect of sleep quality in the relationship between nocturia and psychosocial functions in nurses: a cross-sectional survey based on TARGET

Abstract

Background

Nocturia, the most common lower urinary tract symptom, significantly impacts individuals’ physical and mental health, as well as their sleep quality. However, current research primarily focuses on the elderly, with few studies examining the professional population, particularly nurses. Given that nurses are particularly susceptible to nocturia due to frequent shift work, poor urination habits, and heavy workloads, this study aims to investigate the prevalence of nocturia among nurses and its effects on their psychosocial functions, as well as the mediating role of sleep quality.

Methods

105 hospitals, comprising 46,391 valid samples, were conveniently selected between February 2021 and March 2024, based on the baseline survey of the Chinese Nurses’ Health Cohort Study (TARGET). Variables were measured by the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire, Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-Item Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Work-Family Balance Scale, 6-item Stanford Presenteeism Scale, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Univariate and binomial logistic regression analyses, correlation analyses, and mediation model tests were employed.

Results

Nocturia (frequency ≥ 2 times/night) was observed in 7,265 (15.7%) and poor sleep quality in 19,002 (41.0%) among nurses. Sleep quality partially mediated the relationship among nocturia-anxiety, nocturia-depression, nocturia-health-related productivity loss, and nocturia-work-family balance, with mediation effects of 1.080, 1.368, 0.538, and − 1.112, accounting for 79.70%, 78.05%, 71.68%, and 89.56% of the total effect, respectively.

Conclusions

Nocturia adversely affects nurses’ psychosocial functions, and sleep quality mediates this relationship. Managers should focus on nurses experiencing nocturia and implement timely interventions for sleep disorders to promote mental health, enhance work-family balance, and reduce productivity loss.

Trial registration

TARGET was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (clinical trial number: ChiCTR2100043202. Registered 2021-02-08. https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=121683; subsequently renewed to accommodate an expanded sample size, clinical trial number: ChiCTR2300072756. Registered 2023-06-25.

Wei, N., Zhang, X., Liu, G. et al. The mediating effect of sleep quality in the relationship between nocturia and psychosocial functions in nurses: a cross-sectional survey based on TARGET. BMC Nurs 24, 644 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-025-03259-7