Work-related stress, burnout and coping among nurses in University Hospitals

ABSTRACT

To investigate the extent of burnout among nurses, to ascertain which aspects of nursing work were related to burnout and to examine the relative contribution to burnout made by these different variables [demographic factors, stress and coping strategies]. This study included a total of 200 nurses working at medical and surgical wards, in Man-soura and Zagazig University Hospitals [100 nurses from each hospital]. The study tools included a demographic interview data sheet, a Nursing Stress Scale, Modified Jalowiec and Powers Coping Scale and The Burnout Potential Inventory. Nurses stress in Mansoura and Zagazig University Hospitals were mainly in the form of physical stresses, mainly due to workload. Total stress scores were significantly higher among nurses in Mansoura University Hospital than those among Nurses in Zagazig University Hospital. Affective-oriented coping was higher than the problem-oriented coping. Nurses in Mansoura showed significantly higher scores for coping than those in Zagazig. In both University Hospitals, conflict and overload mean scores were high. Nurses in Mansoura University Hospital sustained significantly higher conflict and poor teamwork while those in Zagazig University Hospital sustained significantly higher punishment. Age, income, and years of experience in nursing had significantly negative correlation with stress scores and burnout and significantly positive correlation with coping scale. There was a positive significant correlation of stress with burnout in both Mansoura and Zagazig and a negative significant correlation of coping with burnout. Stress and coping scores were significantly higher among nurses having Diploma with specialty than those with Diploma in nursing only. Nurses in University Hospitals experience occupational stress. With less age, salary and years of experience in nursing work-related stress becomes more perceived. Affective-oriented coping strategies are resorted to more than the problem-oriented coping. Nurses in Mansoura cope better than those in Zagazig. The hospital organization should monitor staff conflict and must ensure that workloads correspond to workers capabilities and resources. Training places should put more emphasis on preparing nurses to deal with the emotional needs of their patients, with detached concern. Stress inoculation training which teaches nurses appropriate coping skills could be implemented. Particularly, vulnerable groups of nurses, such as those with diploma with specialty, should be monitored regularly for signs of burnout. They should be the primary targets for ongoing training and/or preventive interventions such as stress inoculation training