title: Psycho-social risks at work: stress and coping strategies in oncology nurses.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  to identify sources of stress and coping strategies in nurses who work in three Head and Neck Surgery Oncology Services, in three central hospitals in Portugal.
  
  
  METHODS
  a cross-sectional descriptive-exploratory study, whose sample was made up of the 96 nurses from the three services. The following were used in the data collection: a socio-demographic questionnaire; the 12-item General Health Questionnaire; and the Occupational Stress Inventory; Brief COPE.
  
  
  RESULTS
  reasonable levels of general health were ascertained. The most-mentioned stressors were: burden with work; low pay; the physical space where they work; emotionally-disturbing situations and lack of recognition of the profession. The most-used coping strategies were: planning; active coping; acceptance and self-distraction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  the stressors identified are mainly related to organizational aspects and work conditions, and the coping strategies chosen are aimed at resolving problems and improving the nurses’ well-being. A significant percentage of the nurses presents high levels of pressure and depressed emotions. The results presented corroborate previous studies which warn of the importance of developing strategies for preventing these stress levels.
authors.forename: Sandra da Fonte Sousa
authors.initials: Sda F
authors.lastname: Gomes
authors.forename: Margarida Maria Magalhães Cabugueira Custódio dos
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: Elisabete Teresa da Mata Almeida
authors.initials: ET
authors.lastname: Carolino
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000523:psychology*; D009859:Oncology Nursing; D012307:Risk Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult