Workplace stressors, coping, demographics and job satisfaction in Chinese intensive care nurses

Background: Prior research has suggested that certain workplace stressors, coping strategies and demographic characteristics are related to job satisfaction in nurses. Most of the research in this area has been conducted within western culture countries, with little research being carried out in Asian culture countries, especially China. It remains unclear if the findings of the research conducted in western culture countries are applicable to Chinese nurses, especially intensive care nurses. Aims and objectives: Therefore, the aims of this study were to examine, in Chinese intensive care nurses, the most often occurring workplace stressor; the most frequently used coping strategy; and the relationships among workplace stressors, coping strategies, demographic characteristics and job satisfaction. Design: The study design was a survey using four self‐report questionnaires. Methods: One hundred and two intensive care nurses, from four hospitals located in two major cities in central China, were administered four self‐report questionnaires. Results: Findings suggested that the most frequently cited workplace stressor was workload, while the most commonly used coping strategy was planning. Two hundred and twelve significant positive and negative correlations were found among the various workplace stressors, coping strategies, demographic characteristics and the different factors comprising job satisfaction. Conclusions: These findings identify factors that need to be considered when addressing workplace stress, coping strategies and demographic characteristics as they relate to job satisfaction in Chinese intensive care nurses. Relevance to clinical practice: It is important for both hospital and nursing administrators to address factors contributing to job satisfaction, so that retention of qualified ICU nurses, within the workforce, will be facilitated.     

Pre-registration diploma student nurse stress and coping measures

The aim of this study is to examine the stress experiences and coping abilities of student nurses. A survey design was employed to examine the stress experiences of Diploma student nurses in a large Dublin Teaching Hospital. A questionnaire was utilized that measured and explored five specific constructs pertinent to student nurse stress. These included clinical stress, academic stress, coping, emotions and personal factors which assist students nurses during periods of stress. Findings showed that examinations, the level and intensity of academic workload, the theory-practice gap and poor relationships with clinical staff were the leading stressors identified. Emotional reactions to stress included feeling exhausted and upset under pressure. Students adopted short-term emotion focused coping strategies when attempting to deal with stress. A sense of achievement, and determination, were personal factors, which assisted students to continue in the event of stress being present. Content analysis of the open questions shed further light in relation to the stress phenomenon, particularly in relation to clinical stress. The provision of adequate support services from a clinical and academic perspective, a lecture-practitioner model of education delivery, and curriculum changes which focus on developing student self awareness skills are the suggested study recommendations.     

Stresses and coping strategies of neonatal intensive care unit nurses

The purposes of this study were to investigate the nature of the psychological stresses experienced by neonatal intensive care unit nurses and to describe the coping strategies they reported using to alleviate them. Sixty nurses from eight hospitals participated. Ten categories of stressful experiences were identified. A coping scale using short-story problem situations as stimuli was constructed. Factor analysis of the mean ratings of 13 coping strategies produced three factors: Cognitive Processing, Using Personal Skills, and Escape. Analysis of variance using these ratings and stress levels of the stories showed a significant main effect for stress level and a significant interaction between coping factors and stress levels. No significant differences in coping strategies were found by hospital or by the nurse variables of tenure (length of time) in the unit, education, or experience.     

Stress, coping and health conditions of hospital nurses

The objective of this quantitative study was to identify stressing factors, level of stress in nurses, overall health conditions, and coping strategies used by nurses in the working environment. Data collection was performed using three instruments: a survey for daily activities, an inventory of coping strategies, and an inventory for overall health conditions. The population of this study was composed by 143 nurses, most of them with a low level of stress (55.25%) and with a regular health condition (50.35%). Regarding coping forms, problem solving was the factor of highest average. In conclusion, educational actions must be encouraged with an aim to offer tools for professionals to develop coping strategies in their everyday activities, thus minimizing the effect of stress on their health conditions and at work.     

The Burden of Care: Psychosocial Experiences and Coping Strategies among Caregivers of Persons with Mental Illness in Ghana

This study investigated psychosocial experiences and coping strategies of caregivers of persons with mental illness in a psychiatric hospital in Ghana. The study adopted a qualitative design in which 20 participants (10 psychiatric nurses and 10 family caregivers) were sampled from the hospital and interviewed. Using thematic analysis, the results showed that stress was common with both psychiatric nurses and family caregivers, which impact on their physical health. Both groups of caregivers reported experiences of stigma, with psychiatric nurses being stigmatized mainly by other health workers whereas family caregivers reported stigma from the public, particularly neighbors. Coping strategies differed between family caregivers and psychiatric nurses, in that nurses mostly used avoidance strategies and humor in dealing with stress and stigma associated with their work whereas family caregivers used emotion-focused coping. The implications of these findings include the need for counseling services to help caregivers manage negative experiences and psychoeducation of caregivers on adaptive coping strategies as well as training strategies targeting the public and healthcare workers on measures to reduce the stigma associated with caring for persons with mental illnesses.     

Stroke: coping strategies and depression among Chinese caregivers of survivors during hospitalisation

Aims and objectives. The main aim of this study was to identify the coping strategies of stroke caregivers, to identify the factors associated with caregivers’ depression and to identify predictors of caregivers’ depression. Background. Stroke has a high incidence in China. Most stroke survivors are accompanied by family caregivers during hospitalisation. However, little is known about these informal caregivers’ coping strategies to the consequences brought on by stroke and their depressive symptoms. Method. A correlation and cross‐sectional design was used and a purposive sample of 92 stroke survivors and their caregivers completed the questionnaires, which were used to describe the demographic of both the caregiver and stroke survivor, coping strategies (the Brief COPE Inventory) and depression of caregivers (the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale). Spearman's correlation and multiple stepwise regression analysis were used in data analyses. Results. Several coping strategies (planning, positive reframing, acceptance, active coping, use of instrumental support and humour) were most commonly used by stroke caregivers. The length of hospital stay, stroke survivor's cognitive status and functional status, family income and coping strategies such as (i) denial, (ii) self‐blame, (iii) planning and (iv) religion had significant correlations with caregiver's depression. The best predictors of caregiver's depression were denial, planning and stroke survivor's functional status. Conclusions. This study contributes to our knowledge about the coping strategies and depression level of stroke caregivers on the Chinese mainland. The depression rate is very high during hospitalisation, although these caregivers often had positive coping responses to the stroke event. Many factors were associated with caregivers’ depression. Relevance to clinical practice. Nurses should not only pay attention to stroke survivors but also to their caregivers. To help them adjust well from the stroke consequences and avoid depression, nurses should implement effective interventions.     

Coping with organizational stress among hospital nurses in Southern Ontario

Government cutbacks and anticipated staff reductions were hypothesized to be a unique source of organizational stress. The study focused on how nurses coped with stress and whether any strategy effectively reduced occupational stress. A sample of 107 nurses were asked to rate their occupational stress, job satisfaction, and coping strategies. Avoidance and social support were found to be significantly correlated with stress, but neither of these coping strategies appeared to reduce nurses' level of organizational stress. However, an interaction between problem solving and job satisfaction was found to be highly significant and it added 42% to predicting stress levels. Supporting the stress-buffering hypothesis, nurses with lower intrinsic job satisfaction seemed to benefit from employing problem solving as a coping strategy whereas dissatisfied nurses who infrequently use problem solving reported the highest levels of organizational stress. Paradoxically, intrinsically satisfied nurses who most frequently utilize problem solving experienced heightened organizational stress.     

Coping and family relationships in stress resistance: a study of job satisfaction of nurses in Singapore

This study examined the role of coping strategies and family relationships in mitigating the negative effect of work stress on nurses. The findings indicated that nurses who adapted to work stress with high job satisfaction were more inclined to adopt approach coping methods (problem orientation, ability enhancement, and change of perspective) than those who reported low job satisfaction under high work stress. The stress-resistant nurses were also distinguished by a less frequent use of defensive or avoidance coping in handling of their emotional reactions to stress. They perceived greater family support than did the distressed nurses. Implications of the findings and limitation of the study were discussed.     

Cultural variations in children's coping behaviour, TV viewing time, and family functioning

AIM: To examine children's coping behaviour, TV viewing hours and family functioning in four ethnic groups and factors related to children's coping behaviour. METHODS: This study was part of two larger research projects investigating children's health behaviours in the United States and Taiwan. Fifty-six White American children of European ancestry, 66 Mexican American children, 68 Chinese American children and 95 native Taiwanese children were included in the analysis. Standardized instruments were used to measure coping strategies, children's TV viewing hours and family functioning. RESULTS: There were significant differences in the types of stressor that children of different ethnicity reported. Similarities and differences were found in the four ethnic groups regarding the top five most frequently used and most effective coping strategies. Multiple regressions identified two variables that contributed significantly to the variance in the frequency of children's coping strategies--ethnicity and poorer behaviour control in the family. Ethnicity was the only variable found to contribute to the variance in coping effectiveness. Significant differences were found in the number of hours children spent watching TV. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that children of different ethnicity utilized different types of coping strategies and ethnicity is one of the important factors related to children's coping behaviour. These findings provide evidence for nurses to assess children's coping behaviour and TV viewing and provide children with healthier alternatives.     

Family stresses, strengths, and outcomes after critical injury

Because critical injury occurs without warning, there is no time for families to prepare for this event. Stresses caused by critical injury vary in intensity and duration but certainly have the potential to create a heavy burden on family members. Prior family stress seems to be the salient indicator of the amount of assistance a family will need. The number of stresses not directly associated with the critical injury seems to be an important predictor of family adaptation outcomes. Therefore, it is important that nurses assess other stresses occurring in the family, not focusing solely on the stresses associated with critical injury. Interventions that help mobilize family strengths may be effective strategies for promoting family adaptation outcomes. Families using few coping strategies or reporting reduced resources, or both need referrals to other health care professionals or advanced practice nurses. Patient and family care conferences also may be helpful in the development of intervention plans to mobilize individual family strengths after critical injury.     

Workplace and personal factors associated with physical and mental health in hospital nurses in China

Limited research exists on the workplace and personal factors that might be associated with the physical and mental health of nurses working in China. Therefore, the purposes of this study were to examine, in Chinese hospital nurses, the most frequently occurring workplace stressor, the most often used coping strategy, and the relationships that exist among workplace stressors, coping strategies, psychological hardiness, demographic characteristics, and physical and mental health. Four-hundred-and-eighty hospital nurses from five hospitals in three major Chinese cities were administered five self-report questionnaires. The findings indicated the most frequently cited workplace stressor was workload, while the most commonly used coping strategy was positive reappraisal. Numerous positive and negative correlations were found, suggesting the importance that workplace stress, coping strategies, psychological hardiness, and demographic characteristics play in relationship to each other, as well as to both the physical and mental health of Chinese nurses.     

Stress and coping of Hong Kong Chinese family members during a critical illness

Aim. The present study aimed to investigate the stress and coping strategies of Hong Kong Chinese families during a critical illness and to examine the relationships between stress and coping. Background. Admissions to intensive care unit are usually an unanticipated event, which imposes stress on the family. Family's wellness is one of the significant factors affecting patient's well‐beings. Much work has been conducted in Western societies. Stress and coping in Chinese families of critically ill patients have rarely been discussed. Method. Structured face‐to‐face interviews were conducted, using the Impact of Events Scale and the Family Crisis Oriented Personal Evaluation Scales. A convenience sample of 133 participants was recruited from a regional hospital in Hong Kong. Many were patients’ children with age between 30 and 49. A total of 39·1% (n = 52) of the participants were males and 60·9% (n = 81) were females. Results. The participants experienced high level of stress (mean = 25·1, SD = 8·3). Higher level of stress were experienced by female (t = ?4·6; d.f. = 1, 131; P = 0·00), those with lower educational attainment (F = 3·0; d.f. = 2, 130; P = 0·05) and those whose relatives were admitted to the intensive care unit unexpectedly (t = ?2·2; d.f. = 1; P = 0·03). Patients’ length of stay in the unit was significantly correlated with levels of stress (r = 0·5, P < 0·00). Level of stress had significant correlation with coping strategies utilization (r = 0·5, P < 0·00). Reframing strategies were frequently used whereas the passive appraisal strategies were least used. Family members used positive‐coping strategies, which concurred with the Chinese stress–coping pattern ‘fatalistic voluntarism’. Relevance to clinical practice. This study contributes to the understanding of Hong Kong Chinese families’ stress and coping during a critical illness. Comprehensive assessments of family members’ psychosocial needs are important to plan appropriate interventions to alleviate their stress and strengthen their coping skills. The findings will serve as guidance for nurses in delivering culturally sensitive and competent interventions.     

Stress and coping in Australian nurses: a systematic review

LIM J., BOGOSSIAN F. & AHERN K. (2010) Stress and coping in Australian nurses: a systematic review. International Nursing Review 57 , 22–31
Aim:  To identify factors that contribute to stress in Australian nurses, consider the coping strategies they use and examine the effects of stressors on nurses' health and well-being.
Background:  Stress is a major concern in the nursing profession with work overload, nurse shortages and high turnover rates as the common stressors. Although nursing stress has been studied extensively, there is a lack of clarity on the nursing situation in Australia.
Methods:  A systematic review of the current literature was conducted on stress and coping strategies within the Australian nursing population.
Results:  Stressors included work overload, role conflicts and experiences of aggression. Coping strategies included seeking support, problem solving and self-control. The majority of the studies reported detrimental effects on nurses' physical and mental well-being with little consideration given to the spillover effects of nursing work stress to their family and social relationships.
Conclusion:  Recommendations included factoring in personal and work stresses, promoting the use of effective coping strategies and maintaining supportive social relationships.     

护士工作疲溃感及其影响因素调查分析

目的探讨护士工作疲溃感水平及其影响因素。方法采用问卷调查法，调查广州市5所三级甲等综合医院235名护士的工作疲溃感水平及其影响因素。结果护士的情绪疲溃感及工作无成就感均为高度，工作冷漠感为中度；影响护士工作疲溃感的因素包括：个人对工作的喜欢程度、工作意愿、人员性质、因工作对家庭的影响、家庭成员的态度、自我健康感受、工作压力及应对方式等。结论护士的工作疲溃感较为严重，并受多因素影响。建议加强护士对专业的正确认知，培养护士的积极应对及人际沟通技巧，帮助护士协调好工作与家庭的关系，争取家庭成员的支持，对身体条件不良、工作意愿不强的护士多加关注，避免因工作疲溃感过重产生离职意愿或影响临床护理质量。     

Nursing stress: the effects of coping strategies and job satisfaction in a sample of Australian nurses

Nursing stress: the effects of coping strategies and job satisfaction in a sample of Australian nurses The study reported in this paper examined relationships between nursing work-related stressors and coping strategies, and their impact upon nurses' levels of job satisfaction and mood disturbance. It was proposed that higher levels of perceived work stress and use of avoidance coping would increase mood disturbance, while problem-focused coping would be associated with less mood disturbance. The study also aimed to explore the possible 'buffering effects' of using humour in coping with stress, and the effect of job satisfaction on the stress-mood relationship. The sample consisted of 129 qualified Australian nurses who volunteered to complete standardized questionnaires, including the Nursing Stress Scale, Ways of Coping Questionnaire, the Coping Humour Scale, Job Satisfaction Scale of the Nurse Stress Index, and the shortened version of the Profile of Mood States. Results revealed a significant positive relationship between nursing stress and mood disturbance, and a significant negative relationship between nursing stress and job satisfaction. The use of avoidance coping and the perception of work overload were found to be significant predictors of mood disturbance. No evidence was found to indicate that the use of humour had a moderating effect on the stress-mood relationship but there was support for the influence of job satisfaction upon this relationship. These results provided some support for a transactional model of stress since situational factors were found to influence the nurses' coping and perceptions of stress.     

Preterm Birth Prevention: A Mandate for Psychosocial Assessment

Reviews panels on the prevention of preterm birth (PTB) conducted by the Office of the Surgeon General and the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development made numerous novel recommendations for research on the assessment of risk factors for PTB and the development of personalized, specific interventions for the prevention of PTB. This paper discusses the particularly significant roles for nurses in assessment and intervention based on their education in pregnancy and in multiple health-related disciplines. General differences and specific anxiety assessment are presented based on the goals of research. An emphasis is placed on assessment of pregnancy-specific anxiety, and assessment and intervention methods that include the father/partner and couple using family system methodologies. The risks occurring with differences in partner intentions for pregnancy are discussed, and especially the benefits of male partner involvement and support. It is noted that interventions may need to be varied based on differences in gender, ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic status. Differences in individual or group intervention psychotherapy approaches are considered. The special risks and needs of pregnant military couples, especially those with deployed partners are presented. Variations in anxiety are discussed in terms of implications for maternal/paternal fetal and child attachment from birth to adulthood. Discussion includes the considerable and varied parenting and financial strains that continue long after birth, with significant impact for parent-child mental and physical health, and the need for development of long-term interventions that include parental coping strategies and parental empowerment.     

Preterm birth prevention: a mandate for psychosocial assessment

Reviews panels on the prevention of preterm birth (PTB) conducted by the Office of the Surgeon General and the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development made numerous novel recommendations for research on the assessment of risk factors for PTB and the development of personalized, specific interventions for the prevention of PTB. This paper discusses the particularly significant roles for nurses in assessment and intervention based on their education in pregnancy and in multiple health-related disciplines. General differences and specific anxiety assessment are presented based on the goals of research. An emphasis is placed on assessment of pregnancy-specific anxiety, and assessment and intervention methods that include the father/partner and couple using family system methodologies. The risks occurring with differences in partner intentions for pregnancy are discussed, and especially the benefits of male partner involvement and support. It is noted that interventions may need to be varied based on differences in gender, ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic status. Differences in individual or group intervention psychotherapy approaches are considered. The special risks and needs of pregnant military couples, especially those with deployed partners are presented. Variations in anxiety are discussed in terms of implications for maternal/paternal fetal and child attachment from birth to adulthood. Discussion includes the considerable and varied parenting and financial strains that continue long after birth, with significant impact for parent-child mental and physical health, and the need for development of long-term interventions that include parental coping strategies and parental empowerment.     

Knowledge of low birth weight care as a source of coping strategies for mothers: Cross sectional study in perinatology WARD'S

The lack of information on infant care can cause stress, contributing to poor coping strategies of mothers of low birth weight (LBW) infants. This study aimed to examine the relationship between knowledge on LBW infant care and mothers' coping strategies. Sixty mothers of LBW infants admitted to the perinatology ward, selected through a quota sampling method, participated in this study. The inclusion criteria were all mothers who have LBW infants with the following condition without congenital defects, not using respiratory aids, and able to drink orally. Data were collected through interviews using a three-part questionnaire: parental demographics and infant characteristics, the Maternal Knowledge Score, and the Coping Strategy Scale. A multiple linear regression analysis was employed using SPSS software version 20. The final model of analysis showed that after controlling for the stress level, a significant correlation existed between maternal knowledge on LBW infant care and coping strategies, implying that increased knowledge and decreased stress levels will improve mothers' coping. Therefore, it is recommended that nurses provide mothers and families with active and proactive learning opportunities through health education programs on infant care, which can increase the mothers’ confidence and improve their coping strategies.     

护士长工作疲溃感与工作压力源及应对方式的相关研究

目的探讨护士长工作疲溃感、工作压力源及应对方式的水平及其之间的关系.方法采用问卷调查法,调查了广州市5家三级甲等综合医院的200名护士长的工作疲渍感、工作压力源、应对方式及其之间的相互关系.结果护士长的工作压力为中等水平,其首要工作压力为工作量与时间分配方面,最大压力源为非护理性工作太多;护士长情绪疲溃感与工作无成就感均为高度,工作冷漠感为中度;护士长的工作压力与情绪疲溃感和工作冷漠感呈正相关,与工作无成就感不相关;应对方式对护士长工作疲溃感有影响,积极应对有助于降低护士长的工作无成就感,消极应对可以加重情绪疲溃感和工作冷漠感的产生.结论护士长的工作疲溃感严重,并受工作压力及应对方式影响,建议关注护士长工作压力的主要影响因素及减轻护士长的非护理性工作,加强对护士长管理知识、心理知识及专业知识的培训,提高其积极应对技巧.