Stress among Nurses Working in the Provincial Hospital of Kenitra, Morocco: a Job Demand-Control-Support Survey

Abstract

The nursing stress literature points to an overwhelming culture of accepting and expecting stress at work,ironically linked to controlling the workplace to effectively and actively manage stress. According to the KarasekJob Demand Control Support (JDCS) model, stress-causing factors have been extensively studied in nursing-relatedworkplaces, especially in critical and emergency situations. However, little is known about the impact of workplacestress on the cognitive functions of caregivers.Method: A survey was carried out using the JDCS model among 96 nurses working in different departments ofthe provincial hospital in Kenitra (emergencies, surgical operating units, pediatrics…). Specific questions exploredvariables such as gender, length of service in the system, level of qualification and work experience.Results: A high level of job strain was highlighted with a gender effect. Women Nurses are more stressed than men.According to the study, age over 40 was a key factor in high work stress, also for the work schedule; nurses adoptingthe 12/36 system were located in the high stress quadrant. Both of these factors can be predictors of poor mental health.Strategies to improve the personal and professional performance of nurses to cope with daily stressors in differenthospital departments are needed.