Alessandro Rolim Scholze1, Júlia Trevisan Martins2, Maria José Quina Galdino1, Aline Aparecida Oliveira Moreira2, Vanessa Monique Luiz Costa3, Gabriela Schmitt Trevisan4. 1. Nursing, Universidade Estadual do Norte do Paraná - Bandeirantes (PR), Brazil. Universidade Estadual do Norte do Paraná Universidade Estadual do Norte do Paraná Brazil. 2. Nursing, Universidade Estadual de Londrina - Londrina (PR), Brazil. Universidade Estadual de Londrina Universidade Estadual de Londrina Brazil. 3. Department of Nursing, Hospital Evangélico de Londrina - Londrina (PR), Brazil. Department of Nursing Hospital Evangélico de Londrina Brazil. 4. Medicine, Universidade do Oeste Paulista - Presidente Prudente (SP), Brazil. Universidade do Oeste Paulista Medicine Universidade do Oeste Paulista Brazil.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The work environment of nurses is characterized by physical and mental hazards liable to cause exhaustion and lead them to take psychoactive substances as coping strategy. OBJECTIVE: To investigate nurses' perception of the work environment influence on psychoactive substance intake. METHODS: Exploratory, descriptive and qualitative study with 14 nurses in two public hospitals. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and subjected to content analysis. RESULTS: Staff and material shortages, submission, lack of autonomy, conflict in interpersonal relationships and power struggles were the main reasons for nurses to take psychoactive substances. CONCLUSION: Nurses are exposed to stressors in the workplace, including understaffing, power struggles, interpersonal conflict and lack of autonomy, which may lead them to take legal or illegal drugs.
BACKGROUND: The work environment of nurses is characterized by physical and mental hazards liable to cause exhaustion and lead them to take psychoactive substances as coping strategy. OBJECTIVE: To investigate nurses' perception of the work environment influence on psychoactive substance intake. METHODS: Exploratory, descriptive and qualitative study with 14 nurses in two public hospitals. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and subjected to content analysis. RESULTS: Staff and material shortages, submission, lack of autonomy, conflict in interpersonal relationships and power struggles were the main reasons for nurses to take psychoactive substances. CONCLUSION: Nurses are exposed to stressors in the workplace, including understaffing, power struggles, interpersonal conflict and lack of autonomy, which may lead them to take legal or illegal drugs.