Workload and psychosocial risks among nurses in mental health and psychiatry in Chile

Abstract

The present study aims to explore and compare psychosocial risks and work overload among nursing professionals in the field mental health and psychiatry in Chile. Quantitative, observational and cross‐sectional research was designed for this purpose. Nurses from community, ambulatory, hospital and emergency units in mental health and psychiatry in Chile were recruited between January and May 2022. Instruments of psychosocial variables and an occupational psychosocial risk scale based on the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire were used. Descriptive and correlational statistics were used, as well as independent samples t‐tests, Factorial Anova and post‐hoc analysis with Bonferroni correction. As a result, 174 nursing professionals were recruited, 79.3% female, average age 33.9 years. One‐third belonged to the Metropolitan Region of Chile. The highest psychosocial risk was obtained by nurses over 30 years of age, from the Metropolitan Region, with more than 16 patients under their care, at the hospital or psychiatric emergency level. Significant differences were observed in work overload and psychosocial risks according to personal and work characteristics of the professionals, as well as of the users and health services. The levels of psychosocial risk and work overload of mental health and psychiatric nurses were reported, as well as the comparison of these according to personal, sociodemographic, and work characteristics. In order to improve the quality of work life of these professionals and the quality of these services, it is essential to develop interventions focused on the dimensions addressed, as well as to define norms and policies that ensure a workload in accordance with international standards.