Relationship between Occupational Stress and Quality of Life in Intensive Care Unit Nurses in Selected Naval Hospitals

Occupational stress in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) has a serious impact on the health and quality of life of nurses. Paying attention to the quality of life of nurses and reducing occupational stress can lead to better provision of medical services in the ICU and hospital. Therefore, the present study was conducted to determine the relationship between occupational stress and quality of life in ICU nurses in selected naval hospitals.

In this descriptive-analytical study, 76 ICU nurses in selected naval hospitals in the south of Iran in 2019 participated. Sampling was done by census and available methods. The research tools included the 26-question quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF) and occupational stress questionnaires, which were completed by nurses, and then data were analyzed.

The mean score of occupational stress and quality of life in ICU nurses in selected naval hospitals were estimated as 42.9±1.7 and 62.3±19.1 respectively, both of which are at a moderate level. Occupational stress has an inverse and significant relationship with quality of life in ICU nurses. Occupational stress and quality of life had no significant relationship with any of the ICU nurses' demographic variables.

The findings of the present study demonstrated that there is a significant and inverse relationship between the quality of life and occupational stress in ICU nurses, so the increase in occupational stress of ICU nurses has a negative effect on their quality of life, and this can affect the quality of providing clinical care in hospital. Therefore, improving the quality of life and reducing occupational stress should be on the agenda of health officials.