Effects of Work-Related Stressors and Mindfulness on Mental and Physical Health Among Australian Nurses and Healthcare Workers.


Author: De Cieri H1, Shea T2, Cooper B3, Oldenburg B4

Affiliation: <sup>1</sup>Professor, Monash Business School, Monash University, Caulfield East, VIC, 3145, Australia.

<sup>2</sup>Senior Research Fellow, Monash Business School, Monash University, Caulfield East, VIC, 3145, Australia.

<sup>3</sup>Associate Professor, Monash Business School, Monash University, Caulfield East, VIC, 3145, Australia.

<sup>4</sup>Professor, School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.
Conference/Journal: J Nurs Scholarsh.
Date published: 2019 Jul 21
Other:
  Special Notes: doi: 10.1111/jnu.12502. [Epub ahead of print]   ,  Word Count: 206  
    PURPOSE: To examine the relative impact of work-related stressors and the personal resource of mindfulness on employees' mental and physical health.



DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey design with nursing and healthcare workers in Victoria, Australia.



METHODS: Data were collected from 702 respondents. Mean scores for work-related stressors and employee mental and physical health were compared with population norms. We used hierarchical linear regressions to examine the relative impact of demographics, work-related stressors, and mindfulness on employee mental and physical health.



FINDINGS: Employees in this sample reported higher levels of work-related stress and poorer mental health compared to available norms, while their levels of physical health were within the normal range. Regression analyses showed that work-related stressors were important predictors of employee mental health, but mindfulness was the stronger predictor. There was a slightly stronger relationship between employee physical health and work-related stress compared to mindfulness. Furthermore, being younger and employed in a non-nursing role were associated with better physical health.



CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Encouraging mindfulness as a health behavior practice among nurses and other healthcare workers could improve employee well-being and potentially enable them to more effectively fulfill the requirements of their demanding roles.



© 2019 Sigma Theta Tau International.



KEYWORDS: Mental health; mindfulness; physical health; work-related stressors



PMID: 31328372  DOI: 10.1111/jnu.12502