Nursing staff in all settings have multiple work-related problems due to patient handling and occupational stressors, which result in high stress levels and low back pain. In this context the importance of health promotion becomes apparent. The aim of this study is to analyse whether nursing staff (in elderly care, hospitals, home care, or trainees) show different levels of work-related burdens and whether they require individualized components in health promotion programs. N = 242 German nurses were included in a quantitative survey (Health survey, Screening Scale (SSCS) of Trier Inventory for Chronic Stress, Slesina). The differences were tested using Chi2-Tests, Kruskal–Wallis Test and one-way ANOVA. Nurses differed in stress loads and were chronically stressed (F(3236) = 5.775, p = 0.001). Nurses in home care showed the highest SSCS-values with time pressure as the most important straining factor. The physical strains also placed a particular burden on nurses in home care, whereas they still reported higher physical well-being in contrast to nurses in elderly care (Chi2 = 24.734, p < 0.001). Nurses in elderly care and home care preferred strength training whereas nurses in hospitals and trainees favoured endurance training. Targeted programs are desirable for the reduction of work-related burdens. While nurses in elderly care and home care need a combination of ergonomic and strength training, all nurses require additional stress management. Planning should take into account barriers like perceived additional time consumption. Therefore, health promotion programs for all settings should be implemented during working time at the work setting and should consider the working schedule.
Background: Nurses in geriatric care are exposed to various burdens in the workplace that result in high stress levels. The perceived stress may result in a lack of professional caring and burnout. Objectives: The study aim was to identify work-related and personal factors that determine stress levels to design tailored interventions. Research design: cross-sectional study. Subjects: N = 195 geriatric nursing staff members. Measures: The survey included validated questionnaires (Trier Inventory for Chronic Stress (TICS), Health Survey Short form 12 (SF-12), Nordic Questionnaire) to identify work-related burdens, resulting stress levels and work-related behavior (AVEM). According to the limits of the Screening Subscale for chronic stress (SSCS) of the TICS, nurses were classified as stressed or non-stressed. With four-step regression analysis, main predictors for the stress level were identified. Results: The analysis revealed body postures, handling heavy loads, time pressure, deadlines and pressure to perform as the main burdens of the participants. Chronically stressed nurses showed different work patterns in comparison to nurses with lower stress levels. The regression analysis showed significance for the models including the work-related patterns and resilience aspects (step three (F (3.42) = 4.168; p = 0.010) and four (F (7.35) = 4.194; p = 0.002). Pattern B was a main factor for determining stress. The stress level determined the perceived burdens. Conclusions: Experiencing and managing stressors depends on the individual’s perception, while coping patterns—especially pattern B—can be decisive. The tailored interventions to reduce stress in geriatric nurses should focus on personal patterns.
Background Nurses experience high, and often chronic, levels of occupational stress. As high-quality care requires a healthy workforce, individualized stress-alleviating interventions for nurses are needed. This study explored barriers and resources associated with health behaviors in nurses with different stress levels and work-related behavioral tendencies and identified health behavior determinants based on the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) model. Methods Applying a mixed methods transformative triangulation design, n = 43 nurses filled out chronic stress (SSCS) and work-related behavior and experience patterns (German acronym AVEM) questionnaires, and participated in semi-structured interviews. With content analysis, categories of health behavior-related barriers and resources emerged. Behavior determinants (self-efficacy, outcome expectancies), health behavior, and barriers and resources were quantified via frequency and magnitude coding and interrelated with SSCS and AVEM scores to link level of health behavior with potential influencing factors. Nonparametric tests explored differences in quantified variables for SSCS and AVEM scores and 4-step-hierarchical regression analysis identified predictors for health behavior. Results Eighty-four percent of the nurses were chronically stressed while 49% exhibited unhealthy behavioral tendencies at the workplace. 16 personal and organizational themes (six resources, ten barriers) influenced health behaviors. Stress was associated with resource frequency (p = .027) and current health behaviors (p = .07). Self-efficacy significantly explained variance in health behaviors (p = .003). Conclusion Health promotion related barriers and resources should be considered in designing nurse health promotion campaigns. Practitioners need to individualize and tailor interventions toward stress and behavioral experiences for sustainable effects on adherence and health.
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