Subjective mental workload in Spanish emergency nurses. A study on predictive factors
María Belén Soto-Castellón1, César Leal-Costa2, María José Pujalte-Jesús1
1Faculty of Nursing, Universidad Católica de Murcia (UCAM), Av. de los Jerónimos, 135, Guadalupe 30107, Murcia, Spain.
International Emergency Nursing
|June 22, 2023
Summary
Emergency nurses experience medium to high mental workload, influenced by workplace noise, lighting, and neuroticism. Female, older nurses with permanent contracts reported higher workloads, highlighting factors for well-being.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Psychology
- Nursing Research
Background:
- Mental workload is a critical factor in worker performance and well-being.
- Emergency nurses face unique stressors impacting their cognitive demands.
- Understanding factors influencing mental workload is essential for healthcare settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the subjective mental workload of nursing staff in hospital emergency units.
- To investigate the relationship between mental workload and sociodemographic, work, environmental, and personality factors.
Main Methods:
- A quantitative, descriptive, observational, and cross-sectional study.
- 201 emergency nurses from 13 Spanish provinces participated.
- Data collected via 5 questionnaires; analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlations, and multiple linear regression.
Main Results:
- Nurses reported medium to high mental workload levels.
- Environmental factors (noise, lighting) and neuroticism were significantly related to mental workload.
- Being female, older, and having a permanent contract correlated with higher mental workload.
Conclusions:
- Neuroticism and workplace hygiene (noise, lighting) are key predictors of mental workload.
- Personal factors (age, gender, personality) and work factors (contract type) influence emergency nurses' mental workload.
- Findings can inform strategies to improve emergency nurses' well-being and working conditions.
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