<abstract xml:lang="en" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>The aim of this study was to identify and analyse professional stressors, evaluate the level of stress in nurses in Intensive Care Units (ICU), and assess the correlation between the perception of stress and psychological and somatic symptoms or diseases shown by nurses. The research, designed as a cross-sectional study, was carried out in the Intensive Care Units (ICU), in health centres in Serbia. The sample population encompassed 1000 nurses. Expanded Nursing Stress Scale (ENSS) was used as the research instrument. ENSS revealed a valid metric characteristic within our sample population. Nurses from ICUs rated situations involving physical and psychological working environments as the most stressful ones, whereas situations related to social working environment were described as less stressful; however, the differences in the perception of stressfulness of these environments were minor. Socio-demographic determinants of the participants (age, marital status and education level) significantly affected the perception of stress at work. Significant differences in the perception of stressfulness of particular stress factors were observed among nurses with respect to psychological and somatic symptoms (such as headache, insomnia, fatigue, despair, lower back pain, mood swings etc.) and certain diseases (such as hypertension, myocardial infarction, stroke, diabetes mellitus etc). In view of permanent escalation of professional stressors, creating a supportive working environment is essential for positive health outcomes, prevention of job-related diseases and better protection of already ill nurses.</p></abstract>

The aim of this study was to identify and analyse professional stressors, evaluate the level of stress in nurses in Intensive Care Units (ICU), and assess the correlation between the perception of stress and psychological and somatic symptoms or diseases shown by nurses. The research, designed as a cross-sectional study, was carried out in the Intensive Care Units (ICU), in health centres in Serbia. The sample population encompassed 1000 nurses. Expanded Nursing Stress Scale (ENSS) was used as the research instrument. ENSS revealed a valid metric characteristic within our sample population. Nurses from ICUs rated situations involving physical and psychological working environments as the most stressful ones, whereas situations related to social working environment were described as less stressful; however, the differences in the perception of stressfulness of these environments were minor. Socio-demographic determinants of the participants (age, marital status and education level) significantly affected the perception of stress at work. Significant differences in the perception of stressfulness of particular stress factors were observed among nurses with respect to psychological and somatic symptoms (such as headache, insomnia, fatigue, despair, lower back pain, mood swings etc.) and certain diseases (such as hypertension, myocardial infarction, stroke, diabetes mellitus etc). In view of permanent escalation of professional stressors, creating a supportive working environment is essential for positive health outcomes, prevention of job-related diseases and better protection of already ill nurses.

Professional Stress and Health among Critical Care Nurses in Serbia

Faculty of Medicine, Department of Nursing, University of Novi Sad

Clinical Center of Vojvodina, Clinic of Psychiatry, University of Novi Sad

Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Medical Psychology, University of Novi Sad

Faculty of Medicine, Department of Special Rehabilitation and Education, University of Novi Sad

The Institute for the Health Protection of Workers Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia

Faculty of Medicine, Department of Occupational Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia

Archives of Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology

{"article-title":"Professional Stress and Health among Critical Care Nurses in Serbia"}

The aim of this study was to identify and analyse professional stressors, evaluate the level of stress in nurses in Intensive Care Units (ICU), and assess the...

Professional Stress and Health among Critical Care Nurses in Serbia

Published Online: Jun 21, 2012

Page range: 171 - 180

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/10004-1254-63-2012-2140

Keywords
profesionalni stresori, psihološki i somatski simptomi, radno mjesto, radno opterećenje, upitnici

This content is open access.

Professional Stress and Health among Critical Care Nurses in Serbia

Published Online: Jun 21, 2012

Page range: 171 - 180

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/10004-1254-63-2012-2140

Keywordsprofesionalni stresori, psihološki i somatski simptomi, radno mjesto, radno opterećenje, upitnici

This content is open access.

Keywords
profesionalni stresori, psihološki i somatski simptomi, radno mjesto, radno opterećenje, upitnici