Conceptualizing the Dynamics of Workplace Stress: A Systems-Based Study of Nursing Aides

Details

• Journal Article:
  BMC Health Serv Res
• Personal Author:
  Jetha, Arif ; Kernan, Laura ; Kurowski, Alicia
• Corporate Authors:
  ProCare Research Team
• Description:
  Background
  
  Workplace stress is a complex phenomenon that may often be dynamic and evolving over time. Traditional linear modeling does not allow representation of recursive feedback loops among the implicated factors. The objective of this study was to develop a multidimensional system dynamics model (SDM) of workplace stress among nursing aides and conduct simulations to illustrate how changes in psychosocial perceptions and workplace factors might influence workplace stress over time.
  
  Methods
  
  Eight key informants with prior experience in a large study of US nursing home workers participated in model building. Participants brainstormed the range of components related to workplace stress. Components were grouped together based on common themes and translated into feedback loops. The SDM was parameterized through key informant insight on the shape and magnitude of the relationship between model components. Model construction was also supported utilizing survey data collected as part of the larger study. All data was entered into the software program, Vensim. Simulations were conducted to examine how adaptations to model components would influence workplace stress.
  
  Results
  
  The SDM included perceptions of organizational conditions (e.g., job demands and job control), workplace social support (i.e., managerial and coworker social support), workplace safety, and demands outside of work (i.e. work-family conflict). Each component was part of a reinforcing feedback loop. Simulations exhibited that scenarios with increasing job control and decreasing job demands led to a decline in workplace stress. Within the context of the system, the effects of workplace social support, workplace safety, and work-family conflict were relatively minor.
  
  Conclusion
  
  SDM methodology offers a unique perspective for researchers and practitioners to view workplace stress as a dynamic process. The portrayal of multiple recursive feedback loops can guide the development of policies and programs within complex organizational contexts with attention both to interactions among causes and avoidance of adverse unintended consequences. While additional research is needed to further test the modeling approach, findings might underscore the need to direct workplace interventions towards changing organizational conditions for nursing aides.
  
  
• Subjects:
  Health Personnel Nurses Nursing Homes Occupational Health Safety Social Support Stress, Psychological Surveys And Questionnaires Workplace
• Keywords:
  Author Keywords: Workplace Stress; System Dynamics; Nursing Aides Job Stress; Health Care Workers; Nursing; Psychosocial Factors; Simulation Methods; Adaptation; Computer Models; Work Organization; Work-life Balance; Total Worker Health; TWH;
• Source:
  BMC Health Serv Res. 17.
• Pubmed ID:
  28056973
• Pubmed Central ID:
  PMC5216606
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  U19 OH008857/OH/NIOSH CDC HHS/United States
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Massachusetts ; OSHA Region 1
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  11 pdf pages
• Volume:
  17
• Issue:
  1
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20049251
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2017
• NORA Priority Area:
  Public Safety ; Healthcare and Social Assistance
• Performing Organization:
  University of Massachusetts, Lowell
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Collection(s):
  CDC Public Access National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:9cf6e5d002f42e1efe8423f3afc79035c752dd78fe8dfd0b4bb788d12f7d845472f91dae85d0ef583c8c9caa47a7c2e159585f97882790b8e65082fc2cb1eda4
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/44173/cdc_44173_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 1.23 MB ]