Staff satisfaction with work, perceived quality of care and stress in elderly care: psychometric assessments and associations.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate validity and reliability of three questionnaires measuring 'work satisfaction', 'patient care' and 'staff health' for staff in elderly care and to study the relationship between staff members' satisfaction with work and perceived stress.


BACKGROUND
Increased workload, difficulties in recruiting and retaining nurses are reported in elderly care. Valid and reliable instruments measuring staffs' perceptions of work are needed.


METHODS
A convenience sample of 299 staff answered the questionnaires.


RESULTS
Factor analysis of 'work satisfaction' gave eight factors, 'patient care' four factors and 'staff health' two factors, explaining 52.2%, 56.4% and 56.8% of the variance. Internal consistency was mostly satisfactory. Multiple regression analysis revealed a model that explained 41% of the variance in perceived stress symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
There was support for the instruments' validity and reliability. Older age, higher scores/satisfaction with workload, cooperation, expectations and demands, personal development and lower scores on internal motivation contributed to less stress.
Engström
Maria
M
Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Sweden. mem@hig.se
Ljunggren
Brigitta
B
Lindqvist
Ragny
R
Carlsson
Marianne
M
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002055:Burnout, Professional / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005851:Geriatric Nursing / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D009013:Morale; D009042:Motivation; D015401:Nursing Administration Research; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology*; D016272:Occupational Health; D011594:Psychometrics; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000592:standards; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*; D013548:Sweden; D016526:Workload; D017132:Workplace / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology