Phase 1 of an investigation into the levels of stress in United Kingdom hospice services

Abstract

Disagreement exists as to whether the work of palliative care nurses is more stressful than the work of other nurses, and research into the specific stressors facing hospice workers is limited. This article presents the results of phase 1 of a study investigating the levels of stress in two UK hospices and the possible coaching needs of staff working in these services. Phase 1 is a cross-sectional study that assessed the levels of stress and main work stressors experienced by staff working in the two hospices. The study used three measures: the DASS-21 (Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale), the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Management Standards Indicator Tool and a demographic questionnaire. Multiple regression analyses were used to investigate whether the seven HSE stressors, and two demographic factors 'place of work' and 'years of work in palliative care', were significant predictors of levels of depression, anxiety, stress and negative affect, as measured by the DASS-21. The results highlight a number of HSE stressors in need of improvement; however, the overall scores on the DASS-21 subscales indicate that this staff group does not experience more than average strain. Change was a significant predictor of depression, and demand a significant predictor of stress. Both change and demand were significant predictors of negative affect.