Prevalence of Mental Health Problems Among Female Nurses in Public Sector Hospitals Faisalabad An Exploratory Study
Prevalence of Mental Health Problems Among Female Nurses in Public Sector Hospitals Faisalabad An Exploratory Study
Prevalence of Mental Health Problems Among Female Nurses in Public Sector Hospitals Faisalabad An Exploratory Study
Prevalence of Mental Health Problems among Female Nurses in Public Sector Hospitals
Faisalabad: An Exploratory Study
time=4]. The reliability of the Urdu version uncharacteristic nor characteristic of me=3,
of Depression subscale is (α =.0.84), of somewhat characteristic of me=4, extremely
Anxiety is (α =.0.86), of Stress is ((α =.0.83) characteristic of me=5]. Reliability of Urdu
and of full scale is (0.93) as reported by version of Anger is (α =.88), whereas of
(Aslam & Kamal, 2017). Hostility is α =.75 (Shafique & Sadiq, 2019).
Urdu Versions of Anger (7-items) and Every participant was given sufficient time to
Hostility (8-items), subscales of Aggression answer each questionnaire selected for the
Questionnaire, were used. Items of both present research. After completing data
subscales are scored on five point likert scale collection procedure, scoring was done in
[Extremely uncharacteristic of me =1, order to statistically analyze the data using
somewhat uncharacteristic of me=2, neither SPSS Version 22.0.
Results
Table 1
Summary of Demographic Characteristics of the Participants (N=306)
Characteristics Frequencies Percentages
Age Range f %
21-30 279 91.18, (M= 24.94; SD= 3.67716)
31-40 27 8.82
Education
BS Nursing 237 77.45
General Nursing 69 22.55
Marital Status
Single 219 71.57
Married 87 28.43
Family System
Nuclear 180 58.82
Joint 126 41.18
Socio-economic Status
Lower 19 6.20
Middle 287 93.7
Duration of Job
1-10 222 72.55
11-20 84 27.45
Duty Hours
6 hours 238 77.78
Above 6 hours 68 22.22
Duty Shift
Morning 127 41.50
Evening 111 36.27
Monthly Income
25-35 43 14.05
36-45 57 18.6
46-55 139 45.4
56-65 67 21.8
Table 2
Prevalence of Mental Health Problems in Nurses (N=306)
Nurses
Mental Health ________________________________________________
Problems Yes No
f % f %
Depression 226 73.8 80 26.1
Anxiety 247 80.7 59 19.2
Stress 260 84.9 46 15.03
Anger 255 83.3 51 16.6
Hostility 249 81.3 57 18.6
Further analysis was done pertaining to the anxiety, while 19.2% reported normal
mental health problems experienced by the anxiety. About 84.9% nurses reported
participants of the present study. Results significant stress and 15.03% reported
(Table-2) have depicted that among 306 normal stress in their life. Amidst all, about
participants; about 73.8% nurses reported 83.3% participants reported significant
significant depression, whereas 26.1% anger, while 16.6% reported normal anger.
reported normal depression. Approximately, About 81.3% reported significant hostility
80.7% nurses experienced significant and 18.6% reported normal hostility.
Table 3
Severity of Depression, Anxiety and Stress in Nurses (N=306)
Mental Health f %
Problems
Depression
Mild 51 22.5
Moderate 145 64.1
Severe 26 11.5
Extremely Severe 4 1.76
Anxiety
Mild 31 12.5
Moderate 73 29.5
Severe 82 33.1
Extremely Severe 61 24.6
Stress
Mild 161 61.9
Moderate 89 34.2
Severe 8 3.07
Extremely Severe 2 0.76
Level of depression, anxiety and stress was moderate anxiety, 24.69% reported
also calculated. It is shown by the results extremely severe anxiety, while 12.55%
(Table-3) that majority nurses (64.15%) reported mild level of anxiety.
experienced moderate depression, 22.56% Approximately 61.92% nurses reported
experienced mild depression, 11.5% moderate level of stress, 34.23% reported
experienced severe depression and 1.76% mild stress, 3.07% reported severe stress and
experienced extremely severe depression. 0.76% reported extremely severe stress in
Regarding anxiety, about 33.19% reported life.
severe level of anxiety, 29.55% reported
control or handle painful stimuli, he or she health status of nurses may enable them to
becomes anxious. Uncontrollable feelings manage personal and as well as work related
regarding environmental issues and future issues. It can also strengthen the nurse-patient
social and economic concerns might cultivate relationships in health care setting.
anxiousness among nurses of the present
study. Limitations and Recommendations
Most of the nurses also experienced moderate Some significant limitations of the present
level of stress (Table- 3). The present study were noted. First, the study explored
research findings are also supported by the prevalence of mental health problems in
previous researches that revealed medium the absence of causing factors. Role of
level of stress in nurses (Najimi et al., 2012; demographics was not estimated in the
Kshetrimayum et al., 2019). Role of job connection of mental health problem at all.
dissatisfaction (Maharaj et al., 2019), Only female nurses were focused ignoring
pollution, time pressure and long hours are male nurses completely. Mental health of
evident in determining stress among nurses male nurses is equally important to be
(Kane, 2009). In hospital setting, nurses are addressed.
exposed to distinct stimulus which requires Hence, in the light of these limitations, all
timely management. Simultaneous handling future researchers are recommended to
of multiple tasks might propagate the stress examine the reasons of developing mental
level among nurses in the present study. health problems among both male and female
Nurses of the present study also reported nurses in Pakistan. In this regard, mental
significant anger (Table-2). It is further health of nurses working in public and private
supported by previous research that pointed sector hospitals can be compared. More
out three different kinds of anger expression details pertaining to the mental health
among nurses in Korea (Han et al., 2015). problems among nurses will help in
Probably, nurses of the present study got implementing preventive measures. Stability
frustrated owing to personal and work related of mental health prevents medical errors at
problems (i.e., insufficient pay, duty shifts work, ensure quality of services for patients
and patient’s demand or handling) that and as well as utilization of positive coping
provoked more anger in them. and skills on the part of nurses both at work
Significant hostility was also noted among and home.
female nurses of the present study (Table-2).
A previous study elaborated the nurse-nurse Contribution of Authors
hostility within clinical setting (Hutchinson Faiza Anwar: Conceptualization,
& Jackson, 2013). Perhaps, nurses might not Methodology, Investigation, Data Curation
cope well with negative experiences in living Riffat Sadiq: Supervision, Methodology,
and working environment, as a result, they Writing -Original Draft, Writing - Review &
harbored negative feelings and emotions Editing
leading to hostility among them. Saira Khan: Formal Analysis, Writing-
Conclusion Original Draft
Female nurses of public sector hospitals
experience significant depression, anxiety, Conflict of Interest
stress, anger and hostility which may impede The authors declared no conflict of interest.
their professional growth. Owing to various Source of Funding
mental health problems, they are unable to The authors stated no source of funding.
handle patients effectively. Adequate mental