Stress causing psychosomatic illness among nurses

Pratibhap Kane

doi:10.4103/0019-5278.50721

Abstract

Stress in nurses is an endemic problem. It contributes to health problems in nurses and decreases their efficiency. Documenting the causes and extent of stress in any healthcare unit is essential for successful interventionsAim:Establishing the existence and extent of work stress in nurses in a hospital setting, identifying the major sources of stress, and finding the incidence of psychosomatic illness related to stress.Materials and Methods:This study used a questionnaire relating to stressors and a list of psychosomatic ailments. One hundred and six nurses responded and they were all included in the study. Stressors were based on four main factors: work related, work interactions, job satisfaction, and home stress. The factors relating to stress were given weights according to the severity. The total score of 50 was divided into mild, moderate, severe, and burnout.Results:Most important causes of stress were jobs not finishing in time because of shortage of staff, conflict with patient relatives, overtime, and insufficient pay. Psychosomatic disorders like acidity, back pain, stiffness in neck and shoulders, forgetfulness, anger, and worry significantly increased in nurses having higher stress scores. Increase in age or seniority did not significantly decrease stress.Conclusion:Moderate levels of stress are seen in a majority of the nurses. Incidence of psychosomatic illness increases with the level of stress. Healthcare organizations need to urgently take preemptive steps to counter this problem.

Highlights

Stress affecting nurses across the globe has been convincingly documented in the literature for more than 40 years.[1]
Stress levels were studied in 106 nurses from all units of the hospitals
Stress levels are on the rise and little is being done about assessing this malady and actively managing its effects

Summary

Introduction

Stress affecting nurses across the globe has been convincingly documented in the literature for more than 40 years.[1]. Nurses are trained to deal with these factors but chronic stress. There are very few studies in India on stress in nurses. In1981, Grey-Toft developed an instrument called the “Nurses Stress Scale.”[3] This scale described 34 situations that could cause stress for nurses. The present study has modified and translated the questionnaire to Marathi to suit the nurses in these hospitals so that their major causes of stress could be identified. Questions related to sexual harassment, addiction, and substance abuse were omitted as most of the nurses in this study come from lower middle class conservative homes. Both job stress and home-related stress factors were included in the study

Objectives

Discussion

Conclusion