Sense of Belonging and the Use of Social Digital Communication Platform: Nursing Staff Comparison between Pre and During COVID-19

Abstract

In recent years use of digital social networks in the workplace has become the popular mode of team communications. The widespread use of different methods of interpersonal interaction and the availability of the user at any time and in any place have made the boundaries between the personal space and the professional space distorted. Aim: To investigate nurses’ perceptions of the use of digital application communication, level of belonging and stress before and during COVID-19 pandemic. Design: Quasi-experimental, prospective convenience sample correlational study. Method: Team cohesiveness, level of Belongingness and demographic questionnaire was distributed to five hospital departments in pre and during COVID-19 pandemic. Results: A total 178 nurses (83.3% females), average age 34.40 y/o; a significant positive correlation found between nurse seniority and level belongingness (β=.28, p<.01). Significant differences were found between during COVID-19 and pre-pandemic group in using digital platform for solving professional problems (χ² (1) = 7.74, p<.01). In addition, the more the respondents perceived the content of the digital application group for sharing personal experiences the greater their sense of belonging (β = .19, p=.03). Conclusion: This study examines nurses’ digital communication and sharing, deliberation, team cohesiveness and information exchange. The results demonstrate nurses’ interpersonal professional relationships expressed in this digital application as well comparison between two periods. The period of “normal” activity and during pandemic.