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:
1Professor, Monash Business School, Monash University, Caulfield East, VIC, 3145, Australia.
2Senior Research Fellow, Monash Business School, Monash University, Caulfield East, VIC, 3145, Australia.
3Associate Professor, Monash Business School, Monash University, Caulfield East, VIC, 3145, Australia.
4Professor, 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
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