Types of workplace behaviours and their impact on the mental health of nurses

Introduction. Professional work is of great importance in life. It is one of the most important activities in the life of an adult. It may have
a positive affect, but may also be a source of frustration and mental discomfort. Nursing as a profession of social services is exposed to
various stressors related to the protection and rescue of life.

Aim of the study. The main objective of the research was to evaluate the association between types of workplace behaviour and health
among nurses.

Material and methods. The study included 312 nurses, which differed in aspects such as age, previous work experience, education and
employment. The study was conducted using the “Arbeitsbezongenes Verhaltens und Erlebensmuster” questionnaire designed to test types
of work related behaviour and the General Health Questionnaire for the subjective assessment of mental health.

Results. The following scales were used to asses the models of behaviour: professional involvement - subjective meaning of work, career ambition, willingness to engage, striving for perfection, the ability to distancing oneself; mental immunity and strategies to fight off problem
situations - tendency to give up when in a situation of failure, offensive strategies for solving problems, inner peace and balance; emotional
approach to work - a feeling of professional success, satisfaction with life in general; a sense of social support from one’s closest circle,
which enabled the assessment of workplace behaviour types in the examined group. An analysis of the intensification of the individual
dimensions and their order showed that there are four types of behaviours and experiences related to work. The results obtained in the
study showed that most of the nurses get too involved in their work, often functioning in risk-type and burnt out-type and most of them
seldom functioning in a healthy manner. In terms of mental health anomalies they function at an average level. The most frequently displayed
types of health problems were as follows: somatoform disorders (scale A), anxiety and insomnia (scale B) and function disorders (scale C).
Studies allow for the conclusion that a relationship exists, in the study group, between the types of workplace behaviour and health. The
obtained results represent not only a theoretical dependence, but indicate the area of their application in practical activities, mainly in the
training of nurses.

Conclusions:

1. Nurses at work present behaviour types that pose a threat to their health, risk-type and burn out-type.

2. The presented types of workplace behaviours influence the health of nurses.

Nursing Topics 2010; 18 (2): 91-96