Resilience in nursing: The role of internal and external factors

Abstract

Recent evidence shows that resilience can buffer the negative impact of workplace stressors on nurses and is linked to favourable patient outcomes. However, the comparative effectiveness of different contributing factors to nurses' resilience has not yet been examined. Our objective was to examine and compare the impact of individual characteristics, external factors and coping strategies on nurses' resilience. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. Data were collected from 1,012 Greek nurses working in eight hospitals in northern Greece. Resilience, anxiety and depression, were measured using existing validated self- report instruments. In terms of coping strategies, this study used the "Mental Preparation Strategies Scale" to assess the mental preparation strategies employed by nurses before the beginning of their shift. Educational level, anxiety and the overall use of mental preparation strategies were the main predictors of nurse's resilience ([F = 52.781, p = 0.000, R = 0.139, Adjusted R = 0.137]). Resilient nurses were better educated {(b = 0.094. 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.038, 0.162)}, had lower anxiety ([b = -0.449, 95% CI -0.526, -0.372]) and used more often mental preparation strategies before the beginning of their shift ([b = 0.101, 95% CI 0.016, 0.061]). Findings provide information about which subgroups of nurses are more vulnerable in terms of resilience, i.e. less educated nurses, or nurses working in internal medicine wards.

Factors associated with resilience among non-local medical workers sent to Wuhan, China during the COVID-19 outbreak

“…Resilience helps medical workers recover better from trauma, which may help explain why resilient medical workers have lower anxiety and depression in the face of public health emergencies. Consistent with our study, analysis of more than 1000 nurses in Greece suggested that greater resilience was associated with lower anxiety [ 22 ]. In a study of Toronto-based health care workers who continued to work in hospitals one to 2 years after the SARS outbreak, incidence of new episodes of psychiatric disorders were similar to or lower than community incidence rates [ 23 ].…”

Factors Influencing Resilience of Medical Workers from Other Provinces to Wuhan Fighting Against 2019 Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia

“…In other words, participants who scored higher on resilience showed a lower score on anxiety and depression. Data collected from 1,012 Greek nurses suggested that resilient nurses had lower anxiety [20]. In a study among health care workers in Toronto, incidence of new episodes of psychiatric disorders after the SARS outbreak were similar to or lower than community incidence rates, which may indicate the resilience of medical workers who continued to work in hospitals one to two years after the SARS outbreak [21].…”

Investigating the Resilience of Nurses During the COVID-19 Pandemic A Cross-Sectional Survey from Lebanon

“…As such, building resilience in risk-elevated and demanding settings has been proposed as an effective way to enhance employee well-being [10][11]. High resilience has been closely linked to reduced burnout and lower nurse turnover [10][11][12]. Additionally, research on resilience has highlighted its role in improving quality of care and enhancing patient satisfaction [9].…”

“…clinical settings, social network), and demographic variables (e.g. age, years of experience) [12][13]. However, job satisfaction ranks among the most signi cant factors that contribute to resilience [14].…”