Psychosocial risk factors in the nursing category of a private hospital

Abstract

Objective: to identify and analyze the psychosocial risk factors of nursing work in a hospital institution. Method: descriptive, analytical and cross-sectional study of psychosocial risk factors in work with an impact on health self-reported by nurses, in the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ) III instrument, collected in the field in the pre-pandemic period.  Results: Among the highest risk dimensions, quantitative, cognitive and emotional demands, role conflicts, job insecurity, lack of predictability and low quality of leadership and conflict between professional and private life stood out. These psychosocial dimensions had sleep problems, stress and depressive symptoms as outcomes. In the regression model there was an association for quantitative demands for position (p=0.0440) and area (p=0.0096); cognitive demands position (p<0.0001) and area (p=0.0148); and emotional demands position (p<0.0001) and area (p=0.0006). The statistical significance level of 0.05 was considered.  Conclusion: Psychosocial work factors affect nursing health in the hospital environment, with emphasis on high work demands. The COPSOQ III proved to be an appropriate instrument for diagnosing these factors in the hospital environment. Interventions to reduce work stress presuppose effective actions to mitigate or eliminate the main factors involved in nursing work.