Richards DA, Bee P, Barkham M, Gilbody SM, Cahill J, Glanville J. The prevalence of nursing staff stress on adult acute psychiatric in-patient wards. A systematic review.
Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 2006;
41:34-43. [PMID:
16341829 DOI:
10.1007/s00127-005-0998-7]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/16/2005] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Concerns about recent changes in acute in-patient mental health care environments have led to fears about staff stress and poor morale in acute in-patient mental health care staff.
AIM
To review the prevalence of low staff morale, stress, burnout, job satisfaction and psychological well-being amongst staff working in in-patient psychiatric wards.
METHOD
Systematic review.
RESULTS
Of 34 mental health studies identified, 13 were specific to acute in-patient settings, and 21 were specific to other non-specified ward-based samples. Most studies did not find very high levels of staff burnout and poor morale but were mostly small, of poor quality and provided incomplete or non-standardised prevalence data.
CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of indicators of low morale on acute in-patient mental health wards has been poorly researched and remains unclear. Multi-site, prospective epidemiological studies using validated measures of stress together with personal and organizational variables influencing staff stress in acute in-patient wards are required.
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