Risky Behaviour among Nurses in Poland: An Analysis of Nurses’ Physical Condition, Mental Health, and Resilience

Lucyna Gieniusz-Wojczyk, Józefa Dąbek and Halina Kulik
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Lucyna Gieniusz-Wojczyk: Department of Propaedeutics of Nursing, School of Health Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, 20/24 Francuska Street, 40027 Katowice, Poland
Józefa Dąbek: Department of Cardiology, School of Health Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, 45/47 Ziołowa Street, 40635 Katowice, Poland
Halina Kulik: Department of Propaedeutics of Nursing, School of Health Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, 20/24 Francuska Street, 40027 Katowice, Poland

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 4, 1-12

Abstract: Background : Nursing is a profession where staff are exposed to chronic stress. Mental resilience plays a significant role in the process of coping with these challenges. The aim of this study was to assess nurses’ mental and physical wellbeing, as well as resilience, by taking into account the occurrence of risky behaviour among nurses in Poland. Methods : A descriptive study was carried out between June 2017 and May 2018 among nurses ( n = 1080) employed in primary healthcare or in training centres in Silesia, Poland. Data were obtained from a number of questionnaires. Results : Over half of the nurses ( n = 735; 68%) had an average psychophysical mood level resulting from stress, and 179 (16.6%) nurses had a low psychophysical mood. Those with a lower psychophysical mood showed a greater tendency towards developing improper eating habits ( r = ?0.23; p < 0.001). Most nurses had an average ( n = 649; 60.1%) or low ( n = 255; 23.6%) level of resilience. Higher resilience levels were observed in nurses aged over 30 years ( p = 0.004) and in those with additional employment ( p = 0.008). High resilience was associated with a lower intensity of risky behaviour. Conclusion : Most nurses in Poland display average and low levels of resilience, which can have unfavourable consequences for their health.

Keywords: nurse; resilience; wellbeing; health; smoking; alcohol abuse; eating habits (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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