Self-realization, workplace conflicts, empathic concern and quality of life in female staff nurses

Abstract

Background: Nursing professionals, particularly female staff nurses, often work in high-stress environments due to emotional labor, workplace conflicts, and compassion fatigue. Factors such as self-realization and empathic concern can play a crucial role in influencing their mental well-being and overall quality of life. This study was designed to explore the relationship between self-realization, workplace conflicts, empathic concern, and quality of life in female staff nurses.

Methods: This correlational study was conducted at the University of Management and Technology, Lahore, from October 2021 to August 2022. The sample comprised 190 nurses, aged 19 to 58 (M = 30.79, SD = 7.34). Data was collected from different public hospitals in Lahore. Participants were assessed using demographic information sheet and related assessment tools. Data was analyzed using Pearson product-moment correlation and multiple hierarchical regression to test the hypotheses.

Results: The results concluded that self-realization was found to be positively related to compassion satisfaction (r = 0.35, p < 0.01) and negatively related to burnout (r = -0.31, p < 0.01). Further, conflict in the working environment showed a positive relationship with burnout (r = 0.27, p < 0.01) and secondary traumatic stress (r = 0.37, p < 0.01). In addition, it was found that empathic concern was positively related to compassion satisfaction (r = 0.19, p < 0.05) and self-realization also showed a significant positive relationship with empathic concern (r = 0.16, p < 0.05) among female staff nurses.

Conclusion: This study explored the relationship between self-realization, work-related conflict, and empathic concern, and how these factors influence burnout, secondary traumatic stress, and compassion satisfaction among female staff nurses. Promoting self-realization and reducing work conflicts are necessary to enhance the nurses' quality of life by improving compassion, satisfaction and reducing burnout and secondary traumatic stress.