The Relationship Between Job Satisfaction, Life Satisfaction, and Optimism Among Nursing Staff: A Cross-Sectional...

Area of Science:

• Healthcare worker well-being
• Occupational psychology
• Nursing and midwifery studies

Background:

• Job and life satisfaction, and optimism are key to psychological resilience in frontline healthcare workers.
• These factors are particularly important for nursing and midwifery professionals facing demanding work environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify the primary predictors of job satisfaction, life satisfaction, and optimism.
• To understand the factors influencing the psychological well-being of Polish nursing and midwifery professionals.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 475 nurses and midwives in Poland.
• Data collected via anonymous online questionnaires using validated scales: Satisfaction With Job Scale (SJS), Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS), and Life Orientation Test-Revised (LOT-R).

Main Results:

• Moderate job satisfaction (SJS: 20.71) and life satisfaction (SWLS: 21.33) were observed, with varied optimism levels (LOT-R: 14.85).
• Job satisfaction negatively correlated with shift work, salary dissatisfaction, and stress. Life satisfaction linked to relationships and patient load.
• Optimism positively associated with higher education and long-term care roles, but negatively with stress.

Conclusions:

• Job satisfaction, life satisfaction, and optimism in nursing staff are significantly influenced by salary, stress, work environment, and education.
• Interventions to improve working conditions, reduce stress, and enhance psychological resilience are recommended.
• These improvements can bolster staff well-being and positively impact patient care quality.