Does self-efficacy mediate the relationship between occupational stress and mental health problems? A study among nursing professionals.

Iman Dianat,Farahnaz Abdollahazade,Sonia Azemi,Ahmad Bazazan,Mohammad Asghari Jafarabadi

doi:10.34172/hpp.2021.44

Abstract

Background: While it is acknowledged that self-efficacy plays a significant role in understanding consequences of occupational stress, no research has given much attention to the mediating effect of self-efficacy in the association between occupational stress and mental health (MH)problems. The aims of this study were to examine: (1) the associations between occupational stress, MH problems, and self-efficacy among nursing professionals, and (2) mediating effect of self-efficacy in the association between occupational stress and MH problems. Methods: A multi-hospital cross-sectional survey was adopted in eight hospitals in Tabriz, Iran. 389 nursing staff were recruited through a two-stage sampling procedure. Study variables included occupational stress (Health & Safety Executive [HSE] Management Standards RevisedIndicator Tool [MS–RIT]), mental health (General Health Questionnaire [GHQ–28]), and self efficacy (General Self-Efficacy [GSE–10]). Generalized structural equation modelling (GSEM)was applied. Results: Occupational stress (mean±SD=109.2±13.4), poor MH (41.9%), and low selfefficacy (mean±SD=17.7±4.9) were fairly common among the participants. The results showed significant direct effect of occupational stress on MH problems (β=- 0.38, P<0.001). Indirect effect of occupational stress on MH problems through self-efficacy was not significant. Conclusion: The findings highlight the role of other mechanisms or factors than self-efficacy in the association between occupational stress and MH problems that should be established in future work.

Highlights

Occupational stress, as a complex concept, is a product of interaction between individuals, work environment, and cultural contexts.[1,2] Occupational stress has been identified as one of largest problems in both developed and developing countries.[3,4] In recent years, an increasing proportion of working population worldwide have experienced this problem.[5,6] Occupational stress can be considered as harmful physical and psychological responses in employees resulting from lack of balance between job demands and personal abilities, need or resources.[7]
The results revealed that occupational stress, poor mental health (MH), and low self-efficacy were fairly common among the study population, which might reflect the stressful and demanding nature of nursing job and underline the need for appropriate intervention strategies aimed at work condition improvements
The analyses revealed that self-efficacy does not mediate the association between occupational stress and MH problems

Summary

Introduction

Occupational stress, as a complex concept, is a product of interaction between individuals, work environment, and cultural contexts.[1,2] Occupational stress has been identified as one of largest problems in both developed and developing countries.[3,4] In recent years, an increasing proportion of working population worldwide have experienced this problem.[5,6] Occupational stress can be considered as harmful physical and psychological responses in employees resulting from lack of balance between job demands and personal abilities, need or resources.[7]. While it is acknowledged that self-efficacy plays a significant role in understanding of consequences of occupational stress, no research has given much attention to the mediating effect of self-efficacy in the association between occupational stress and mental health (MH) problems. Conclusion: The findings highlight the role of other mechanisms or factors than self-efficacy in the association between occupational stress and MH problems that should be established in future work

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion