Psychological Work Environment and Suicidal Ideation Among Nurses in Taiwan

Abstract

Purpose Nurses are exposed to a poor psychological work environment; this may cause poor mental health, which is a risk factor for suicidal ideation. We investigated the association between psychological work environment and suicidal ideation among hospital nurses in Taiwan. Design We conducted a cross‐sectional survey in Taiwan female nurses using stratified sampling by region (north, central, south, and east) to select representative centers for this study. Methods A self‐report questionnaire including items on demographic data, the psychological work environment, and suicidal ideation was sent to nurses working in hospitals. Multiple logistic regression and population attributable risk analyses were performed to assess the effect of the psychological work environment on suicidal ideation. Findings A total of 2,734 eligible questionnaires (76.8%) were returned. The prevalence of suicidal ideation was 18.3%, and higher risk was found to be associated with the educational level of junior college or below, higher personal burnout, higher client‐related burnout, and always feeling stressed at work. Estimation of population attributable risk showed that higher personal burnout, client‐related burnout, and always feeling stressed at work were the most crucial factors among nurses, accounting for 19.4%, 8.6%, and 10.5% of suicidal ideation, respectively. Conclusions A considerable proportion of nurses developed suicidal ideation. A poor psychological work environment was a relevant factor for suicidal ideation. Clinical Evidence This study provides relevant knowledge for nursing management levels in preventing the development of suicidal ideation among nurses. Not only for nurses’ mental health, but for patient safety and care quality, further studies in improving nurses’ psychological work environment are warranted.

Positive Psychological Capital Mediates the Association between Burnout and Nursing Performance Outcomes among Hospital Nurses

“…In addition, our result was similar to the burnout levels of 73.1% to 86.9% reported by oncology nurses in China [ 35 ] and by intensive care unit nurses in Argentina [ 36 ]. As burnout has been reported to be significantly associated with mental problems such as depression and job dissatisfaction [ 21 , 37 ], active strategies are required to accurately assess nurses’ burnout. In particular, organizational and interpersonal resources have been shown to play an important role in reducing exhaustion in clinical nurses [ 21 ].…”

A study of job stress, suicidal ideation and suicide attempts in display manufacturing workers: a cross-sectional study

“…Insufficient job control (OR: 2.215, 95% CI: 1.017–4.736) and lack of reward (OR: 2.236, 95% CI: 1.021–5.153) are associated with suicidal ideation among Korean subway drivers [ 18 ]. Job stress (OR: 2.7, 95% CI: 2.2–3.3), personal burnout (OR: 3.8, 95% CI: 3.1–4.6), and client-related burnout (OR 3.9, 95% CI: 3.1–5.0) are associated with suicidal ideation in Taiwanese female nurses [ 19 ]. Among work-related factors, a recent degrading experience or harassment at work (OR 2.83, 95% CI: 1.13–7.09) is related to recent suicidal ideation in Swedish surgeons [ 20 ].…”

“…Insufficient job control and lack of reward correlated with increased suicidal ideation among Korean subway drivers [ 18 ]. Job stress correlated with increased suicidal ideation in Taiwanese female nurses [ 19 ]. A recent degrading experience or harassment at work correlated with recent suicidal ideation in Swedish surgeons [ 20 ].…”

Work-Family Conflict, Social Support, Depression and Suicidal Ideation among Medical Staffs in Shandong, China: A Conditional Process Analysis

“…In China, a study supports the relationship between long work hours and suicidal ideation [16]. Another study found the association between work burnout and suicidal ideation among nurses [17]. The relationship between jor stress and suicidal ideation is also identified in Chinese county-level hospitals [18].…”