Psychology and Behavior Investigation of Chinese Nurses (PBICN): Protocol for a Large-Scale, Multi-Center Prospective Cohort Study
Hui Wang, Yue Zhang, Yuqi Yang, Rui Ma, Yanming Zhang, Jinyue Huang, Keyu Song, Xiangyu Lai, Sai’er Yang, Xia Fu, Xiaoyue Yang, Cuiping Xu, Niuniu Sun, Xueli Ji, Chaoqun Dong, Chunhua Zhang, Huixia Cui, Daihong Ji, Hui Hui, Debin Huang, Shuang Jin, Xiaoli Yuan, Jing Chen, Yuehao Shen, Yang Lin, Xueqin Gao, Xiaoyun Wang, Xiumin Zhang, Chunli Wang, Dexing Zhang, Lili Du, Cila, Pak Leng Cheong, Yibo WuBackground: Nurses constitute the largest professional group in China’s healthcare system; however, nurses face a substantial burden of mental health challenges and adverse behavioral outcomes. Systematic longitudinal data on the psychological and behavioral health of Chinese nurses remain limited, constraining the development of evidence-based policies and interventions. Methods: The Psychology and Behavior Investigation of Chinese Nurses (PBICN) is a large-scale, multicenter prospective cohort study with a target sample size of approximately 100,000 registered nurses. Registered nurses currently employed in primary, secondary, and tertiary hospitals were recruited through multistage stratified cluster sampling across all 33 provincial-level administrative divisions in China, using a stratified recruitment ratio of 1:6:10. Data were collected biennially through electronic questionnaires distributed via a dedicated WeChat Official Account. The questionnaire covers eight core domains: basic personal information, occupational details, personal health status, psychological dimensions, behavioral dimensions, workplace environment, health outcomes, and supplementary scales. Study implementation was guided by a multigroup organizational framework and a comprehensive, multistage quality control system. Results: This protocol provides a detailed description of the sampling design, quality control procedures, and outcome measures used in the study. A multistage quality control system governed every phase of study implementation, from participant recruitment to data management. The outcome measures cover psychological, behavioral, occupational, and health-related dimensions, supporting a comprehensive evaluation of the mental health and behavioral status of Chinese nurses. Conclusion: The PBICN establishes a large-scale, longitudinal database with broad geographic and hospital-level coverage to assess the psychological and behavioral health of Chinese nurses. These findings will support the early identification of health risks, inform nursing management policies, and contribute to the implementation of the Healthy China 2030 initiative. Trial Registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2500108696.