Psychological perception of nursing aides' work. An attitude study in a geriatric hospital

To evaluate the psychological perception of nursing aides' work a questionnaire study was performed in a long-term care (geriatric) hospital. 233 out of 273 nursing aides participated (85.4%). Seven scales were obtained: relation with supervisors and workmates, perceived need for information, satisfaction with the work itself, perceived need for education, perceived demand for physical and psychic strength, perceived strain, adjustment to geriatric work. Differences were found between young and older nursing aides, e.g. the young nursing aides percerived less demand for physical and psychic strength and the older nursing aides had a better adjustment to geriatric work. The most important factors for the overall satisfaction with the work were satisfaction with the work itself, perceived strain, and adjustment to geriatric work. Comparisons were also made between the nursing aides and industrial workers and employees.