Investigation on the Job Stressors,Coping Styles and Mental Health in Head Nurses

Objective To identify the job stressors, coping styles and mental health of head nurses to provide information for selection of head nurses, alleviation of work pressure and improvement of health level. Methods Investigation on job stressors, coping styles and mental health were conducted in 92 head nurses working in 2 general hospitals affiliated to medical colleges. Results The head nurses with lower diploma and longer service years were subjected to less job stressors; those with higher diploma tended to use planning in coping with problems; those with service years as head nurses ranging from 6 to 10 years used less self-control in coping; those with service years as ordinary nurses ranging 6 to 10 years tended to use passive coping styles such as avoidance; those with higher diploma or service years as ordinary nurses had better status of mental health. Conclusion In the selection of head nurses, the individual qualities, educational background and work experience should be taken into account, and pressure-reducing measures should be tailored to the individual head nurses to improve their mental health and managing ability.