Factors Affecting Quality of Work Life in a Sample of Cancer Survivor Female Nurses

Abstract

Background and objectives: Identifying the factors affecting the Quality of Work Life (QWL) of cancer survivor female nurses is important and necessary to overcome the various challenges experienced by these professionals upon returning to work following recovery from the disease. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the factors affecting the level of nurses’ QWL. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 115 registered female nurses who had survived cancer, in general hospitals and clinics in South Korea. SPSS statistics version 21 was used for ordinary least squares, and Stata version 12.0 was used for quantile regression analysis. Results: Workplace spirituality affected all quantiles of QWL except the 90% quantile; fatigue was an affecting factor in the 20%, 30%, and 70% quantiles; and job stress in the 20%, 30%, 40%, and 60%, 70%, 80% quantiles. For workplace spirituality, the effect size was 0.33 (p < 0.001) in the 10% quantile, increasing to 0.45 (p < 0.001) in the 80% quantile. Conclusions: Based on the results of this study, suggestions for clinical practice include providing the mediating strategies and programs to manage fatigue and job stress as well as workplace spirituality. Job-related factors such as shift work should also be considered.

Quality of working life can protect against cognitive and emotional vulnerability in women living with metastatic breast cancer: a cross-sectional study

“…In a recent study by Lyons et al [25], it was shown that more than two-thirds of women with MBC report being restricted in work and require a series of work-based adaptions indicating social support and understanding in the workplace are essential. It has been shown that greater social support, as well as lower job stress and fatigue, predicts a better quality of working life in cancer survivors [30,31]. It is plausible that our finding could be underpinned by greater experience of employers reducing levels of job stress, increasing work engagement and promoting a sense of value and worthiness in the workplace, subsequently improving perceptions of quality of working life.…”

“…A recent qualitative study by Chapman et al [29] revealed that working women living with a history of primary breast cancer often experience a lack of understanding from their employers when it comes to fatigue and cognitive impairment. Factors such as social support, job stress and fatigue have been shown to significantly influence quality of working life amongst cancer survivors [30,31]. Quality of working life is defined as 'the experiences and perceptions of cancer survivors in their work life' [32].…”

The Well-Being of Women in Healthcare Professions: A Comprehensive Review

“…Just 15% of the studies we collected focused on the positive relationship between well-being and intentional mindfulness (n=4), 21 , 36 , 43 , 69 nutrition and exercise (n=4), 8 , 12 , 14 , 15 and restorative sleep (n=3). 34 , 74 , 76 These studies add to the growing body of knowledge that lifestyle interventions can reduce compassion fatigue, stress, and burnout with yoga, prayer, meditation, a balanced diet (non-specific), and quality sleep.…”

The Well-being of Women in Healthcare Professions: A Comprehensive Review

“…However, there were several other sources that used various non-validated self-developed outcome measurement tools, including qualitative instruments. [36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53][54][55] Most studies used cross-sectional study design as well as descriptive correlational methods.…”

“…Just 15% of the studies we collected focused on the positive relationship between wellbeing and intentional mindfulness (n=4), 21,36,43,69 nutrition and exercise (n=4), 8,12,[14][15] and restorative sleep (n=3). 34,74,76 These studies add to the growing body of knowledge that lifestyle interventions can reduce compassion fatigue, stress, and burnout with yoga, prayer, meditation, a balanced diet (non-specific), and quality sleep.…”