Perceived work-related stress and coping strategies among critical care nurses – A preliminary study from Sri Lanka

Authors

  • N Sutharshan Divisional Hospital, Maruthamunai, Eastern Province, Sri Lanka
  • MB Nufais Ashraff Memorial Hospital, Kalmunai, Sri Lanka 
  • N Shrirajanie Ashraff Memorial Hospital, Kalmunai, Sri Lanka 
  • MH Abdul Munaff Divisional Hospital, Iragamam, Eastern Province, Sri Lanka
  • Gnanaselvam Kisokanth, Dr Department of Clinical Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5956-4463

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3126/ijosh.v11i2.36139

Keywords:

Coping strategies, Critical care, Nurses, Sri Lanka, Stress

Abstract

Introduction: Work-related stress has become a major concern among the nurses over the years. Nurses experience a high level of work-related stress when work demands exceed their ability to cope. The study aimed to assess the perceived work-related stress level and coping strategies among nurses working in Critical Care Units at a Base Hospital in the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka.
Methods: A cross sectional descriptive study was conducted among all staff nurses (105) working in critical care units. Data were collected using a validated and pre-tested self-administered questionnaire. A Perceived Stress Scale developed by Cohen et al. (1983) and validated in Sri Lanka was used to assess the work-related stress, along with coping strategies. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics using SPSS version 21.
Results: Around 30% of nurses had higher level of perceived stress while 45% had moderate level of perceived stress. Nearly 81% of nurses stated that religious activities are used as a common coping strategy. In addition, 96% of them used ‘positive thinking’ while 70% of them used ‘time management’ as the main coping strategy.
Conclusion: The prevalence of work-related perceived stress among critical care nurses was high. Further, nurses use various emotion focused coping strategies such as regular engagement in religious activities and positive thinking and problem focused coping strategies such as time management and talk with friends/loved ones to overcome the work-related stress.

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Author Biographies

N Sutharshan, Divisional Hospital, Maruthamunai, Eastern Province, Sri Lanka

Nursing Officer, Divisional Hospital, Maruthamunai, Eastern Province, Sri Lanka

MB Nufais, Ashraff Memorial Hospital, Kalmunai, Sri Lanka 

Nursing Officer, Ashraff Memorial Hospital, Kalmunai, Eastern Province, Sri Lanka 

N Shrirajanie, Ashraff Memorial Hospital, Kalmunai, Sri Lanka 

Nursing Officer, Ashraff Memorial Hospital, Kalmunai, Eastern Province, Sri Lanka 

MH Abdul Munaff, Divisional Hospital, Iragamam, Eastern Province, Sri Lanka

Nursing Officer, Divisional Hospital, Iragamam, Eastern Province, Sri Lanka

Gnanaselvam Kisokanth, Dr, Department of Clinical Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka

Senior Lecturer/ Head, Department of Clinical Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka

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Published

2021-06-20

How to Cite

Sutharshan, N., Nufais, M., Shrirajanie, N., Abdul Munaff, M., & Kisokanth, G. (2021). Perceived work-related stress and coping strategies among critical care nurses – A preliminary study from Sri Lanka. International Journal of Occupational Safety and Health, 11(2), 95–99. https://doi.org/10.3126/ijosh.v11i2.36139

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Original Articles

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