Work stress and psychological well-being among the nursing profession in Singapore.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the work stress of nursing and its relationship with the psychological well-being of the nurses.

DESIGN

A survey research method was adopted in which a questionnaire was designed for data collection.

SETTING

The study was conducted in the hospital setting.

SUBJECTS

Nurses (N = 1,043) of different grades participated in this study on an anonymous and voluntary basis.

MEASURES

A work stress measure (ie, the Nursing Stress Inventory) and GHQ-12 were incorporated in a questionnaire which also contained items on subject's background information.

RESULTS

The eight areas of work stress identified were found to be negatively related to psychological well-being of the nurses, with stronger effects on anxiety and depression than sense of adequacy.

CONCLUSION

Certain work stressors were more detrimental than those others. They may also exert differential effects on the affective and cognitive stress reactions.