Psychosomatic symptoms and stressful working conditions among Palestinian nurses: a cross-sectional study

Contemp Nurse. 2016 Aug;52(4):381-397. doi: 10.1080/10376178.2016.1188018. Epub 2016 May 27.

Abstract

Background: High levels of perceived stressful working conditions have been found to have an adverse effect on physical and mental health.

Objectives: To examine the associations between self-reported stressful working conditions and Psychosomatic Symptoms (PSS), and to investigate possible gender differences.

Methods: The present cross-sectional study comprises 430 nurses employed in Hebron district, Palestine. Self-reported stressful working conditions were recorded, and a Psychosomatic Symptoms Check list was used to assess prevalence of PSS.

Findings: Median score on the psychosomatic symptom checklist for the group was 11, (range 1-21). Women reported more symptoms than men, with medians 11.6 and 10.0, respectively (p = .0001). PSS were associated with more self-reported stressful working conditions for both men (p < .0001) and women (p < .0001). The association was strongest among men.

Conclusions: PSS were associated with high self-reported stressful working conditions, and this association was strongest among the men.

Keywords: gender differences; nurses; psychosomatic symptoms; stressful working conditions.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Arabs / psychology*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Employment / psychology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nurses / psychology*
  • Occupational Exposure / adverse effects*
  • Psychophysiologic Disorders / etiology*
  • Sex Factors
  • Stress, Psychological*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires

Grants and funding

This study was supported by The Norwegian Programme for Development, Research and Education (NUFU): [NUFU pro x1 50/2002] and [NUFUSM-2008/10232]. The authors would like to thank the National Norwegian State Education Loan Funds for the financial support.