Mediating Effect of Psychological Capital on the Relationship between COVID-19 Stress and the Organizational Commitment among Nurses in Davao City, Philippines

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has abruptly caused heightened levels of stress among nurses globally, which in turn affected their organizational commitment. Interest on studying the effect of psychological capital on these variables is considered for its close links to organizational success. Purpose: This study determined the mediating effect of psychological capital (PC) on the relationship between COVID-19 stress (CS) and organizational commitment (OC) among nurses working in Davao City. Methods: Using descriptive-correlational design, the mediating effect of PC on the relationship between CS and OC among nurses in Davao City was determined. Snowball sampling was utilized to recruit 225 respondents. The data were gathered using COVID-19 stress scale, Psychological Capital Questionnaire, and Organizational Commitment Scale. Mean, standard deviation, Pearson r, regression analysis, and Sobel test were used in the statistical analysis. Results and Conclusion: Respondents had high levels of CS (M=3.73, SD=0.89), very high levels of PC (M=4.43, SD=0.56), and high levels of OC (M=3.42, SD=0.56). CS was correlated with PC (p=<0.001; r=0.48) and OC (p=<0.001; r=0.59); as do PC and OC (p=<0.001; r=0.44). Furthermore, CS was a statistically significant predictor of OC (β=.372, p=<.001). Upon inclusion of PC, CS continued to influence OC (β=0.209, p=<0.001). CS also significantly influenced PC (β=0.294, p=<0.001). PC partially mediated the relationship between CS and OC (Z=3.159, p=0.002). Implications for Practice: The interrelationship among the variables is multifaceted. Organizations are encouraged to maximize psychological capital of nurses to enhance their organizational commitment despite being exposed to heightened COVID-19 stress.