Modeling wellbeing for U.S. correctional nurses: A cross sectional survey.

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Occupational Health
• Psychology

Background:

• Nurses face significant workplace stress, impacting their health.
• Correctional nurses encounter unique stressors within their work environment.
• Limited research exists on the impact of the correctional setting on nurse wellbeing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the link between organizational factors (job demands, control, support, relationships), job stress, and wellbeing in U.S. correctional nurses.
• To explore the mediating role of job stress in this relationship.
• To examine socio-demographic factors influencing correctional nurse wellbeing.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional online survey was administered to 270 U.S. correctional nurses.
• The Job Demands-Resources Theory guided the conceptual model.
• Multiple linear regression and structural equation modeling were used for analysis.

Main Results:

• The study model demonstrated a significant fit with the data.
• Job stress, job demands, job control, and workplace relationships directly impacted wellbeing.
• Job stress was found to mediate the effects of job control and demands on wellbeing.

Conclusions:

• Correctional organizations can improve nurse wellbeing by addressing job demands, control, relationships, and stress.
• Interventions targeting these factors are recommended to enhance the correctional nursing work environment.
• Findings underscore the importance of organizational characteristics in supporting correctional nurse health.