The Nursing Stress Scale-Spanish Version: An Update to Its Psychometric Properties and Validation of a Short-form Version in Acute Care Hospital Settings

Abstract

Stressful working conditions are correlated with a negative impact on the well-being of nurses, job satisfaction, quality of patient care and the health of the staff. The Nursing Stress Scale (NSS) has been shown to be a valid and reliable instrument to assess occupational stressors among nurses. This study updates the psychometric properties of the “NSS-Spanish version” and validates a short-form version. A cross-sectional design was carried out for this study. A reliability analysis and a confirmatory factor analysis and an exploratory factor analysis were undertaken. Items were systematically identified for reduction using statistical and theoretical analysis. Correlation testing and criterion validity confirmed scale equivalence. A total of 2195 Registered Nurses and 1914 Licensed Practical Nurses were enrolled. The original 34-item scale obtained a good internal consistency but an unsatisfactory confirmatory and exploratory factor analysis. The short-form Nursing Stress Scale (11-items) obtained a good internal consistency for Registered Nurses (α = 0.83) and for Licensed Practical Nurses (α = 0.79). Both Nursing Stress Scales obtained a strong correlation for Registered Nurses (rho = 0.904) and for Licensed Practical Nurses (rho = 0.888). The 11-item version of the Nursing Stress Scale is a valid and reliable scale to assess stress perception among Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses. Its short-form nature improves the psychometric properties and the feasibility of the tool.

Analysis of the psychometric properties of the Nursing Stress Scale (NSS) in a Spanish sample

“…Also, more studies should be done that delve into the subscale "lack of staff support". On the other hand, in the last month of 2020 a study by Spanish authors makes a proposal for a short version of this scale, so it would be interesting to carry out a validation of the short version of the NSS [18].…”

Application of Progressive Muscle Relaxation Therapy in Overcoming Nurse's Work Stress in Depok City Regional General Hospitals

“…The measuring instrument for work stress was the Nursing Stress Scale (NSS) with 34 statements as a measuring tool developed by Gray-Toft & Anderson, (1981) and the results of the validity test ranged 0,490 -0,830. and reliability tests 0,92. 24 The validity and reliability of the questionnaires were conducted with 30 nurses in the Amarylis ward. The validity test on each statement item is in the range of 0.422 -0.877 and the reliability test with the results showing the Cronbach's Alpha value of 0.965 (0.965 > 0.6) Another research tool is an observation sheet on the implementation of progressive muscle relaxation.…”