Liat Hamama1, Yaira Hamama-Raz2, Yaffa N Stokar3, Ruth Pat-Horenczyk3, Danny Brom4, Efrat Bron-Harlev5,6. 1. Bob Shapell School of Social Work, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel. 2. School of Social Work, Ariel University, Ariel, Israel. 3. School of Social Work and Social Welfare, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel. 4. Metiv, The Israel Psychotrauma Center, Jerusalem, Israel. 5. Schneider Children's Medical Center, Petach Tikva, Israel. 6. Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
Abstract
AIMS: The study aimed to examine differences between paediatric nurses and physicians regarding burnout syndrome, secondary traumatic stress (STS) and perceived social support (PSS). BACKGROUND: Paediatric nurses and physicians encounter cumulative effects of treating sick and injured children and helping their families, in situations that might promote burnout and STS. DESIGN: Cross-sectional design. METHOD: Nurses (n = 158) and physicians (N = 76) completed self-report questionnaires on STS, PSS and burnout. RESULTS: Nurses and physicians had similar rates of STS and burnout but showed significant differences in PSS. Furthermore, STS mediated the association between PSS and burnout for both groups; however, the effect was stronger for nurses in comparison to physicians. CONCLUSION: Paediatric nurses and physicians would benefit from participating in interventions geared towards reducing STS, thus minimizing burnout. Moreover, advocating social support within the organization is needed to bolster the ability for coping with sources of stress. IMPACT STATEMENT: Nurses' and physicians' involvement in the physical, physiological and mental needs of their paediatric patients might lead to burnout and secondary traumatic stress (STS). However, research on social support in the context of burnout and STS among nurses and physicians is scant. Secondary traumatic stress and burnout were similar for nurses and physicians, though perceived social support (PSS) was higher for nurses. Secondary traumatic stress plays a mediating role in the association between PSS and burnout among nurses and physicians. However, the mediation effect was stronger for nurses. Policy makers would be wise to advocate institutional stress management interventions to reduce secondary traumatic and to reinforce organizational support for nurses and physicians.
AIMS: The study aimed to examine differences between paediatric nurses and physicians regarding burnout syndrome, secondary traumatic stress (STS) and perceived social support (PSS). BACKGROUND: Paediatric nurses and physicians encounter cumulative effects of treating sick and injured children and helping their families, in situations that might promote burnout and STS. DESIGN: Cross-sectional design. METHOD: Nurses (n = 158) and physicians (N = 76) completed self-report questionnaires on STS, PSS and burnout. RESULTS: Nurses and physicians had similar rates of STS and burnout but showed significant differences in PSS. Furthermore, STS mediated the association between PSS and burnout for both groups; however, the effect was stronger for nurses in comparison to physicians. CONCLUSION: Paediatric nurses and physicians would benefit from participating in interventions geared towards reducing STS, thus minimizing burnout. Moreover, advocating social support within the organization is needed to bolster the ability for coping with sources of stress. IMPACT STATEMENT: Nurses' and physicians' involvement in the physical, physiological and mental needs of their paediatric patients might lead to burnout and secondary traumatic stress (STS). However, research on social support in the context of burnout and STS among nurses and physicians is scant. Secondary traumatic stress and burnout were similar for nurses and physicians, though perceived social support (PSS) was higher for nurses. Secondary traumatic stress plays a mediating role in the association between PSS and burnout among nurses and physicians. However, the mediation effect was stronger for nurses. Policy makers would be wise to advocate institutional stress management interventions to reduce secondary traumatic and to reinforce organizational support for nurses and physicians.
Authors: Donal G Fortune; Helen L Richards; Andrew Wormald; Kieran O Connor; Margaret McKiernan; Pablo Najt; Amanda O Dwyer; Edmond O Dea; Paul Burke; Joseph Eustace Journal: HRB Open Res Date: 2021-02-03