Risk factors for work-related stress, burnout and coping among nurses of University Hospitals

ABSTRACT

To investigate the extent of burnout among nurses and risk factors related to burnout; to ascertain which aspects of nursing work were related to burnout and to examine the relative contribution to burnout made by these different variables. This study included a total of 200 nurses working in the Medical and Surgical Wards, Sohag and Zagazig University Hospitals [100 nurses from each hospital]. Study tools included an interview questionnaire, the Staff Stress Inventory Checklist, the Burnout Potential Inventory and the Jalowic Coping Scale. Nurses stresses in Sohag and Zagazig University Hospitals were mainly in the form of physical stresses, mainly due to workloads. Total stress scores were significantly higher among nurses in Sohag University Hospital than those among nurses in Zagazig University Hospital [95.4 +/- 34.7 and 82.1 +/- 29.6, p=0.004]. Affective oriented coping was more than the problem-oriented coping [72.0 +/- 25.9 and 35.2 +/- 12.5, in Sohag vs. 64.4 +/- 22.5 and 3 1.6 +/- 10.9 in Zagazig]. Nurses in Sohag showed significantly higher scores for coping than those in Zagazig [107.2 +/- 38.2 and 96.0 +/- 33.4, respectively, p=0.028]. In both university hospitals, conflict and overload mean scores were high, while the mean scores of values conflict were the lowest score. Nurses in Sohag University Hospital sustained significantly higher conflict, poor teamwork and values conflict 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 is a positive significant correlation of stress with burnout in both Sohag and Zagazig [r=0.6283 and 0.7094, respectively, p<0.001] and negative significant correlation of coping with burnout [-0.4235 and -0.3760, respectively p<0.001]. Stress scores were significantly higher among nurses having Diploma with specialty than those with Diploma in nursing. Coping scores were higher among nurses having Diploma with specialty than those with Diploma in nursing. 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 Sohag 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 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 preventative interventions such as stress inoculation training