Mental health matters: A cross-sectional study of mental health nurses' health-related quality of life and work-related stressors.

Foster, K; Roche, M; Giandinoto, J-A; Platania-Phung, C; Furness, T

Mental health matters: A cross-sectional study of mental health nurses' health-related quality of life and work-related stressors.

Foster, K Roche, M

Giandinoto, J-A Platania-Phung, C Furness, T

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Publisher:: Wiley
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: International journal of mental health nursing, 2020
Issue Date:: 2020-12-05

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Foster, K
dc.contributor.author	Roche, M https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3831-537X
dc.contributor.author	Giandinoto, J-A
dc.contributor.author	Platania-Phung, C
dc.contributor.author	Furness, T
dc.date.accessioned	2020-12-14T00:06:43Z
dc.date.available	2020-11-11
dc.date.available	2020-12-14T00:06:43Z
dc.date.issued	2020-12-05
dc.identifier.citation	International journal of mental health nursing, 2020
dc.identifier.issn	1445-8330
dc.identifier.issn	1447-0349
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/144662
dc.description.abstract	Mental health nursing is widely recognized as a stressful occupation; however, little is known about the relationship between work-related stress and health-related quality of life of mental health nurses (MHN). This study aimed to identify MHN health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) and work-related stressors; associations between stressors and HR-QoL; and predictors of HR-QoL. An online cross-sectional survey collected demographic data, work-related stressors and HR-QoL (SF-12v2) of n = 498 Australian MHN. Prominent consumer/carer-related stressors were verbal (90%) and physical aggression (85%). Collegial stressors included staff conflict (71%) and bullying (55%), and colleague-perpetrated verbal (34%) and physical aggression (7%). Key organizational stressors included high workloads (74%), lack of organizational support (60%) and lack of adequate resources to perform nursing role (58%). The mean physical health score was 52.62 (SD = 8.30), and mental health score was 43.59 (SD = 11.34), with mental health substantially lower than national norms (mean difference = 10.11). There were statistically significant negative correlations between the number of work-related stressors and HR-QoL. Younger (21-30 years) and less experienced (<1-4 years) MHN had substantially lower mental health. Higher mental health was predicted with < 15 stressors, >4 years' experience and working in the community. The poorer mental health of MHN has concerning implications for the well-being, retention and practice of the largest group in the mental health workforce. There is a critical need for organizations to enact effective policy and initiatives to reduce workplace aggression, improve staff psychological and physical safety, and strengthen well-being and resilience. New graduates are a priority group for urgent intervention.
dc.format	Print-Electronic
dc.language	eng
dc.publisher	Wiley
dc.relation.ispartof	International journal of mental health nursing
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1111/inm.12823
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/restrictedAccess
dc.subject	1110 Nursing, 1117 Public Health and Health Services, 1701 Psychology
dc.subject.classification	Nursing
dc.title	Mental health matters: A cross-sectional study of mental health nurses' health-related quality of life and work-related stressors.
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.location.activity	Australia
utslib.for	1110 Nursing
utslib.for	1117 Public Health and Health Services
utslib.for	1701 Psychology
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CHSP - Health Services and Practice
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access	*
dc.date.updated	2020-12-14T00:06:39Z
pubs.publication-status	Published

Abstract:

Mental health nursing is widely recognized as a stressful occupation; however, little is known about the relationship between work-related stress and health-related quality of life of mental health nurses (MHN). This study aimed to identify MHN health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) and work-related stressors; associations between stressors and HR-QoL; and predictors of HR-QoL. An online cross-sectional survey collected demographic data, work-related stressors and HR-QoL (SF-12v2) of n = 498 Australian MHN. Prominent consumer/carer-related stressors were verbal (90%) and physical aggression (85%). Collegial stressors included staff conflict (71%) and bullying (55%), and colleague-perpetrated verbal (34%) and physical aggression (7%). Key organizational stressors included high workloads (74%), lack of organizational support (60%) and lack of adequate resources to perform nursing role (58%). The mean physical health score was 52.62 (SD = 8.30), and mental health score was 43.59 (SD = 11.34), with mental health substantially lower than national norms (mean difference = 10.11). There were statistically significant negative correlations between the number of work-related stressors and HR-QoL. Younger (21-30 years) and less experienced (<1-4 years) MHN had substantially lower mental health. Higher mental health was predicted with < 15 stressors, >4 years' experience and working in the community. The poorer mental health of MHN has concerning implications for the well-being, retention and practice of the largest group in the mental health workforce. There is a critical need for organizations to enact effective policy and initiatives to reduce workplace aggression, improve staff psychological and physical safety, and strengthen well-being and resilience. New graduates are a priority group for urgent intervention.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/144662