Stress, Burnout, Social Support and General Health of Nurses in Intensive Care Unit

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Nurses working in the intensive care unit (ICU) may be exposed to considerable stress. Gaps in research focusing on stress, burnout, social support and general health of nurses is evident within developing contexts like India. The study aim was to assess the level of and the relationship between (1) stress, (2) burnout, (3) social support, & (4) general health of nurses working in intensive care units. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed at ICUs at tertiary care hospitals, Indore. The self report questionnaire consisted of a demographic questionnaire, The Multidimensional scale of Perceived Social Support, The Abbreviated Maslach Burnout Inventory, the Perceived Stress Scale, and lastly the General Health Questionnaire. 115 of 186 (62%) answered the questionnaire. Results: The mean age of study subjects was 27 years (SD=4.85; n=111). Out of the total 71 were males, with mean age of 27.7 years, and 40 females with the mean age of 26.25 years. Mean Burnout score of total study population was 30.27(SD=11.09; N=111). No significant difference in mean burnout scores of males and females was found (p=0.960; t=0.0502; df=110). One-way ANOVA was done taking Burnout as a factor with 3 levels: Higher mean GHQ-12 scores were seen in groups with higher burnout severity [F(2,108) =13.470; p<0.05]. GHQ-12 scores better predicted burn out than perceived stress and social support. But, people with high perceived stress had significantly lower social support mean scores [F (2,108) = 6.17;p=0.0017]. Correlation between stress and burnout was insignificant. Conclusion: GHQ-12 scores better predicted burnout in ICU staff. Staff with higher stress levels had poorer social-support.

Scanning the VIRUS: A study of dimensions of stress and coping with COVID-19

“…A third type of coping, seeking social support, becomes particularly relevant in the collectivistic Indian culture. Previous research has amply documented the role of social support as a buffer against stressors in India in varied samples, such as nurses (Rathi et al, 2019), police personnel (Singh, Gupta, Sharma, & Mishra, 2019), and students (Bukhari & Afzal, 2017).…”