Work stress in NHS employees: a mixed-methods study

Ravalier, J.M, McVicar, A and Boichat, C (2020) 'Work stress in NHS employees: a mixed-methods study.' International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17 (18). e6464. ISSN 1661-7827

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Official URL: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17186464

Abstract

The United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS) has a higher-than-average level of stress-related sickness absence of all job sectors in the country. It is important that this is addressed as work stress is damaging to employees and the organisation, and subsequently impacts patient care. The aim of this study was to gain an in-depth understanding of working conditions and wellbeing in NHS employees from three employing NHS Trusts through a mixed-methods investigation. First, a cross-sectional organisational survey was completed by 1644 respondents. Questions examined working conditions, stress, psychological wellbeing, job satisfaction, and presenteeism. This was followed by 33 individual semistructured interviews with NHS staff from a variety of clinical and nonclinical roles. Quantitative findings revealed that working conditions were generally positive, although most staff groups had high levels of workload. Regression outcomes demonstrated that a number of working conditions influenced mental wellbeing and stress. Three themes were generated from thematic analysis of the interview data: wellbeing at work, relationships, and communication. These highlight areas which may be contributing to workplace stress. Suggestions are made for practical changes which could improve areas of difficulty. Such changes could improve staff wellbeing and job satisfaction and reduce sickness absence.

Item Type: Article
Note:

This article belongs to the special issue entitled 'Health and Wellbeing in Public Sector Employees'.

It is also openly accessible at the publisher web page linked on this record.

Keywords: work stress, working condition, communication, peer support, wellbeing, mixed methods
Divisions: School of Sciences
Research Centres and Groups: Psychology Research Centre for Health and Cognition
UoA: Psychology
Identification Number: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17186464
Date Deposited: 04 Sep 2020 15:57
Last Modified: 17 May 2022 16:36
URI / Page ID: https://researchspace.bathspa.ac.uk/id/eprint/13484
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