Work Stress in NHS Employees: A Mixed-Methods Study

Jermaine M. Ravalier, Andrew McVicar and Charlotte Boichat
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Jermaine M. Ravalier: Psychology Centre for Health and Cognition, Bath Spa University, Newton Park Campus, Newton St Loe, Bath BA2 9BN, UK
Andrew McVicar: Faculty of Health, Education, Medicine and Social Care, Anglia Ruskin University, Bishop Hall Lane, Chelmsford CM1 1SQ, UK
Charlotte Boichat: University of the West of England, Frenchay Campus, Coldharbour Lane Bristol, Bristol BS16 1QY, UK

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 18, 1-14

Abstract: The United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS) has a higher-than-average level of stress-related sickness absence of all job sectors in the country. It is important that this is addressed as work stress is damaging to employees and the organisation, and subsequently impacts patient care. The aim of this study was to gain an in-depth understanding of working conditions and wellbeing in NHS employees from three employing NHS Trusts through a mixed-methods investigation. First, a cross-sectional organisational survey was completed by 1644 respondents. Questions examined working conditions, stress, psychological wellbeing, job satisfaction, and presenteeism. This was followed by 33 individual semistructured interviews with NHS staff from a variety of clinical and nonclinical roles. Quantitative findings revealed that working conditions were generally positive, although most staff groups had high levels of workload. Regression outcomes demonstrated that a number of working conditions influenced mental wellbeing and stress. Three themes were generated from thematic analysis of the interview data: wellbeing at work, relationships, and communication. These highlight areas which may be contributing to workplace stress. Suggestions are made for practical changes which could improve areas of difficulty. Such changes could improve staff wellbeing and job satisfaction and reduce sickness absence.

Keywords: work stress; working condition; communication; peer support; wellbeing; mixed methods (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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