Occupational stress, respect, and the need for psychological counselling in Chinese nurses: a nationwide cross-sectional study

Abstract

ObjectivesThis study aimed to explore occupational stress, perceived respect, and the need for psychological counselling among nurses in China. Study designThis was a nationwide cross-sectional study. MethodsChinese nurses from 311 cities were randomly selected through a simple random sampling method. Occupational stress, perceived respect, and psychological counselling need were assessed using an online questionnaire validated by experts. The underlying associated factors were analysed using multiple logistic regression analyses. ResultsWe collected and analysed 51,406 valid online questionnaires. Family factors and low income were the most commonly cited sources of occupational stress, and 91.9% and 80.0% of nurses, respectively, perceived that individuals in society and patients did not give adequate respect. Furthermore, 75.5% and 79.7%, respectively, believed they were not respected by clinical managers and doctors. As a result, 64.7% nurses believed they had a moderate or high need for psychological counselling. However, 80.7% indicated that receiving adequate respect could decrease the need for stress-related psychological counselling. Indeed, multiple logistic regression analyses showed that lower respect perceived by nurses was associated with higher need for psychological counselling, particularly regarding criticism that nurses perceived from nursing managers (a little: odds ratio [OR], 1.597; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.176–2.170; P = 0.003; moderately: OR, 1.433; 95% CI, 1.180–1.741; P < 0.001) and the difficulty of receiving respect from patients and their families (a little: OR, 1.389; 95% CI, 1.044–1.850; P = 0.024). ConclusionsNurses in China perceive high levels of occupational stress and low levels of respect and often seek psychological counselling.