A Survey of Relationships Between Job Stressors, Degree of Mental Health, Organizational Climate and the Identity of Newly Graduated Nurses

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate and clarify the relationships between occupational stress, personal factors, buffer factors and stress responses of newly graduated nurses, based on the NIOSH model. A questionnaire survey was conducted on 320 newly graduated nurses working at university hospitals where research cooperation was obtained. Data from 107 people was collected by mail (the response rate of 33.4%). In the results of the analysis, the GHQ-12 scores of the nurses on the three-shift system (23.5 ± 7.04) were found to be higher than those on the two-shift system (18.88 ± 6.03) (P = 0.007). The GHQ-12 score was significantly higher in the high stressor group (24.1 ± 6.20), who had higher job demand and lower work ratings than the low stressor group (18.93 ± 6.14) (P = 0.001, t = -3.44). The results of a multiple logistic regression analysis using high/low GHQ groups defined by a cut-off point of 4 in the GHQ-12 (GHQ method) as the dependent variables and the associated variables as the independent variables showed that the basic role identity and colleague support were found to have a significant relationship. The results of a Hosmer-Lemeshow test were P = 0.643, and the coefficient of determination was as high as 81.0%. This study was conducted approximately 6 months after the nurses entered employment, which is in the middle of the critical transition period from a student to a working member of society and can be assumed to be the most exhausting state of the year both physically and mentally. The results of this study suggest that various stressors might cause serious stress reactions. Also, as shown in previous literature, newly graduated nurses tend not to seek support from their bosses or preceptors throughout the year. Their main sources of support are family members, friends, and colleagues. Taken together, it became clear from our study that support from colleagues in the workplace is the most powerful buffer against stress and an indispensable resource to overcome the "reality shock" of working life.