Relationship between Work Conditions, Inequality Work-assignment and Lack of Work-life Control, and Burnout or Somatic Complaints: An Online Survey of Shift-work Nurses

Abstract

Aim:To identify the relationship between work conditions, unequal work-assignments, lack of work-life control, and burnout or somatic complaints among shift-work nurses.Methods: In January and February 2020, a web-based questionnaire was sent to 4,360 shift-work nurses in Japan. First, an exploratory factor analysis and Spearman correlation were conducted to confirm the construct of unequal work-assignment and lack of work-life control. Second, a hierarchical multiple regression analysis was conducted to evaluate the relationship between unequal work-assignment, lack of work-life control, and burnout or somatic complaints after adjusting work conditions.Results: Data from 394 nurses were analyzed. An exploratory factor analysis and Spearman correlation revealed lack of work-life control on the basis of three factors: vacation requests are not approved, there is uncertainty about working days and vacations, and nurses cannot take paid vacation. Unequal work-assignment was related to emotional exhaustion and depersonalization, uncertainty about working days and vacations was related to emotional exhaustion, and unpaid vacations was related to depersonalization and somatic complaints. Conclusion:In addition to poor working conditions, unequal work-assignments and lack of work-life control may cause psychological or physical stress reactions. 要 旨 目的：看護職の労働条件，相対的に偏りのある勤務割り振り(以下，相対的偏り)や勤務日・休暇の受付日：2021 年 10 月 29 日 受理日：2022 年 1 月 11 日

Relationship between shift assignments, organizational justice, and turnover intention: A cross‐sectional survey of Japanese shift‐work nurses in hospitals

“…This scale consists of four subscales: unequal work assignments, low feasibility of vacation requests, inability to take urgent leave, and uncertainty about working days and holidays. The reliability and validity of this scale have been verified in a previous study (Watanabe et al, 2022). The subscales were measured on a five-point Likert scale ranging from 1 = "applicable" to 5 = "not applicable."…”

“…Interestingly, among the shift assignments, only unequal work‐assignment was associated with turnover intention; other than unequal work‐assignment, the other three factors were those involved in work and life. However, unequal work‐assignment means they experience more stressors than colleagues, such as working more nights and holidays or working with new people who need support (Watanabe et al, 2022). In other words, it is probably more important to the nurse's turnover intention to be assigned a relatively stressful shift relative to other colleagues than to the work–life involvement factor.…”

“…Shift assignment and work–life control were measured using a scale developed in this survey that is based on a previous study (Watanabe et al, 2022). This scale consists of four subscales: unequal work assignments, low feasibility of vacation requests, inability to take urgent leave, and uncertainty about working days and holidays.…”

“…Inflexible shifts and undesired shift patterns are associated with turnover intentions and psychological states related to turnover intentions (Dhaini et al, 2018; Dousin et al, 2021; Ejebu et al, 2021; Peršolja, 2023). Studies conducted in Japan have reported that unequal work assignments and a lack of work–life control are associated with emotional exhaustion and depersonalization (Watanabe et al, 2022), and that nurses are dissatisfied with unfair shift assignments and work–life unpredictability (Japan Nursing Association, 2011). Therefore, work condition management, including appropriate assignments and work–life control, is necessary to prevent turnover intentions.…”