Abstract
There remains limited research on Registered Nurses’ (RNs) use of coping strategies within their stressful work environments. The present thesis expanded on extant research on the impact of coping constructs, derived from coping theory, on the interrelationships of burnout, bullying, and psychological distress in RNs working in acute hospital settings, specifically those working in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and a Surgical Progressive Care Unit (SPCU).
The present research hypothesised that different coping strategies would influence the relationship between bullying, burnout, and psychological distress. Secondly, that bullying is positively associated with burnout and psychological distress.
This research was undertaken using a quantitative cross-sectional design using established and validated psychometric measures. The data collection took place in May 2020, during Aotearoa New Zealand’s Level 3 and Level 2 lock down for the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected from RNs working in Ōtautahi Christchurch’s tertiary level hospital, specifically the ICU and SPCU.
Data were collected by way of an electronic questionnaire. This included demographic information and four validated psychometric measures (Brief-Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced Inventory; Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey; Negatives Acts Questionnaire-Revised; General Health Questionnaire-12).
This research demonstrated several key findings. Features of burnout were able to be predicted from participants’ years practising as an RN, work environment, and experience of bullying, indicating that environmental factors appear linked to the prevalent burnout reported in previous literature. Furthermore, uses of specific coping strategies were also found to be related to burnout, providing some indication that promoting elements of coping may be protective for reducing the development of burnout. The present research also demonstrated a positive relationship between burnout and bullying. Finally, the present research provides an initial indication that promoting adaptive coping strategies and psychological preparedness in ICU and SPCU nurses may prevent negative outcomes in the context of elevated and unexpected workplace stressors.