Enhancing Optimal Experiences and Alleviating Job Stress in Nurses by Affective Capital Enhancement Training

Efficient strategies are required to identify and manage the occupational stresses and improve optimal experiences among health care employees, especially nurses. Thus, the present study was conducted to determine the impact of affective capital enhancement training on optimal experiences and job stress among nurses.

This is a semi-experimental study consists of two groups of participants and designed at two pre- and post-test levels. The participants were 30 of 120 nurses of a governmental hospital in Isfahan city who selected based on the inclusion criteria of this study. The subjects were randomly assigned into the two cases (n=15) and control (n=15) groups. The cases have received affective capital enhancement training through ten sessions. Data collection was done using the optimal experience (Marsh & Jackson) and the job stress (Stanton) questionaries in both pre-test and post-test phases. Statistical analysis was performed by the analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) using SPSS software.

Based on the ANCOVA results, nurses who received affective capital enhancement training exhibited significantly increased optimal experiences (F=6.44, P<0.01) and decreased job stress (F=57.29, P <0.001). However, the pre and post test results were the same for control group.

Given that the affective capital training could improve the optimal experiences and reduce job stresses of nurses, it is highly recommended that such trainings should be considered as potential strategies in the management of occupational stresses as well as improving commitment of employees in different workplaces, including hospitals.