Job Stress and Coping Mechanisms among Nursing Staff in Public Health Services

The main purpose of this study is to investigate the prominent causes and effects of job stress and coping mechanism among nurses in public health services. The research methodology included qualitative and quantitative survey. The results indicated that the major contributor of job stress among nurses is the job itself. Heavy workload, repetitive work, and poor working environment were among the stressors identified in the category of job itself. Respondents identified that inconsiderate and inequitable superior/matron, lack of recognition, and conflict within and between groups were the stressors. Respondents also view social support as a buffer against the dysfunctional consequences of stress emanating from the workplace and established network of friends, family, superior, peers, and colleagues to seek emotional support when faced with job-related stress in the workplace. Further, respondents adopt more than one coping mechanisms to combat job stress based on scenarios, situations, and level of job stress. This study is limited only to the investigation of job stress and coping mechanism among nurses in a public hospital. Other non-medical and medical staffs such as administrators and doctors were not included in this study. Suggestions for future research are also mentioned.