Psychosocial work stress is associated with poor self‐rated health in Danish nurses: a test of the effort–reward imbalance model

Abstract

Nursing staff are exposed to stressful work load which in turn is associated with poor physical and psychological health, sickness absence and job exit. The effort-reward imbalance (ERI) model is a validated approach to measure chronic psychosocial work stress by identifying nonreciprocity between occupational efforts spent and rewards received, and has been found to predict poor health. The aim of this cross-sectional study (n = 367 nurses and nurses aides) was first to test the psychometric properties of the Danish questionnaire measuring ERI, and secondly to analyse whether psychosocial work stress is associated with six indicators of poor self-rated health. Results derived from confirmatory factor analysis indicate satisfying psychometric properties. Elevated risks of poor self-rated health (odds ratios varying from 1.92 to 4.76) are observed in nursing staff characterized by high effort in combination with low reward. Effects are enhanced in those respondents who additionally exhibit a high level of work-related overcommitment. In conclusion, despite methodological limitations, this study contributes to the validation of the ERI questionnaire in Danish language. Furthermore, by documenting associations with poor self-rated health, it supports efforts of theory-guided prevention of work stress in health care professions.

Preliminary study about occupational stress of physicians and nurses in pediatric and neonatal intensive care units: the balance between effort and reward

“…In relation to the nursing team, we can say that the results presented here are in agreement with studies that used the ERI model as a resource to analyze organizational environments (18)(19) .…”

The Nursing Shortage Impact on Job Outcome (The Case in Sri Lanka)

“…Moreover, it is one of the most stressful factors within a healthcare organization; as any other stressor usually moderates staff's job satisfaction and creates turnover intentions (Kooker et al, 2007). Occupational or work-related stress has a direct effect on all nursing members of the work force, might it be of long, short or intermediate duration, or a once off experience (Weyers et al, 2006). High workload is a key job stressor of nurses in a variety of care settings, such as ICUs (Carayon & Gurses, 2005).…”

Main and interactive effects of shiftwork, age and work stress on health in an Italian sample of healthcare workers

“…Over time the imbalance between efforts and rewards may increase susceptibility to illness thorough continuous experience of negative emotions and consequent strain (Siegrist et al, 2004). The effort/reward imbalance has proved effective in predicting several outcomes related to health and well-being (van Vegchel et al, 2005) among healthcare workers (van Vegchel et al, 2001;Hasselhorn et al, 2004;Bakker et al, 2000;Weyers et al, 2006). Moreover, according to the model there may also be individual differences in the experience of effort/ reward imbalance.…”

“…Cardiovascular and musculoskeletal disorders were related to age, which was an expected finding considering their chronic nature, and also to overcommitment. In a review by van Vegchel et al (2005), four out of five studies found overcommitment to be associated with a higher incidence of cardiovascular disorders, while Weyers et al (2006) did not find any significant association between overcommitment and self-reported musculoskeletal complaints in Danish nurses. It is also interesting to note that rumination has been linked with cardiovascular and musculoskeletal disorders (Brosschot et al, 2006).…”