Mediating Effects of Work Engagement of Nurses Working in Long-Term Care Beds in Japan

DOI: 10.5176/2315-4330_WNC18.55

Authors: Chiaki Kinouchi, Yuko Takayama

Abstract:

The objective of this study was to examine the causal model, where resilience influences psychological and physical stress reactions by mediating work engagement, to clarify the mediating effects of work engagement in nurses working in long-term care. We conducted a questionnaire-based survey with 1,786 Japanese nurses working in long-term care in the Tohoku region. For 1,269 respondents, we examined the causal model using structural equation modeling (SEM) and multiple population analysis comparing males and females. The results revealed a process whereby resilience influenced psychological and physical stress reactions by mediating work engagement. In other words, greater psychological recovery and adaptability (i.e., resilience) enhance pride in work and positive emotion (i.e., work engagement), and greater positive emotion suppresses psychological and physical stress reactions, enhancing psycho-physical health. This process was equivalent in both genders. The results demonstrated that, in order to suppress stress in nurses working in long-term care, it is important to provide support for their psychological recovery and adaptability, as well as to facilitate positive emotion through pride for work.

Keywords: work engagement, long-term care beds, resilience, job stress