Distress experienced by nurses in response to the challenging behaviour of residents - evidence from German nursing homes
Aims and objectives The aim of this research is to investigate the degree of distress experienced by nurses in response to the challenging behaviour of nursing home residents (residents' challenging behaviour) and their impact on nurses individual resources (general health, burnout and work abi...
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Published in | Journal of clinical nursing Vol. 21; no. 21-22; pp. 3134 - 3142 |
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Main Authors | , , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
England
Blackwell Publishing Ltd
01.11.2012
Wiley Subscription Services, Inc |
Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | Aims and objectives
The aim of this research is to investigate the degree of distress experienced by nurses in response to the challenging behaviour of nursing home residents (residents' challenging behaviour) and their impact on nurses individual resources (general health, burnout and work ability).
Background
Because of the increasing and ageing population of nursing home residents, professional nursing care faces several challenges. One highly prevalent issue among nursing home residents is the so‐called ‘challenging behaviour’. However, to date, ‘challenging behaviour’ has not yet been recognised as an occupational stressor, and the extent of the impact of ‘challenging behaviour’ on nurses' well‐being and functioning is not well understood.
Design
Cross‐sectional study.
Method
Self‐report questionnaire data collected from 731 registered nurses and nursing aides in 56 German nursing homes were used in a secondary data analysis. The level of residents' challenging behaviour‐related distress that nurses experienced was assessed using a scale consisting of nine questions. Validated instruments were used for the assessment of individual resources.
Results
The mean score for residents' challenging behaviour‐related distress was 41·3 (SD 21·2). Twenty‐seven per cent of all nurses reported over 50 residents' challenging behaviour. Residents' challenging behaviour had a significant impact on all three measures of individual resources. Specifically, nurses exposed to frequent residents' challenging behaviour reported a significantly lower quality of general health, reduced workability and high burnout levels.
Conclusion
Our findings indicate that residents' challenging behaviour‐related distress is a significant work place stressor for nurses in nursing homes with a clear impact on general health, the risk of burnout and work ability.
Relevance to clinical practice
Our findings suggest that residents' challenging behaviour is a stressor for nurses in nursing homes. Further scientific and practical attention is necessary from the point of view of working conditions for nurses. The development of preventive concepts for nursing staff and residents is recommended. |
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Bibliography: | New Quality of Work Initiative Knights of St. John Home for Elderly GmbH ark:/67375/WNG-NN1KKWRW-7 German Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health ArticleID:JOCN12066 istex:181FC5077C241FDED4391E384E26D89AB091888D ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23 ObjectType-Article-2 ObjectType-Feature-1 |
ISSN: | 0962-1067 1365-2702 |
DOI: | 10.1111/jocn.12066 |