Factors influencing professional quality of life of nurses in long-term care hospitals: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify factors related to the professional quality of life of nurses in long-term care hospitals. Methods: A descriptive survey was conducted among 144 nurses with more than 3 months of work experience in five long-term care hospitals in B metropolitan city. Data were collected from April 15 to 30, 2022 and analyzed using the independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, Mann-Whitney test, Pearson’s correlation coefficients, and stepwise multiple regression. Results: The regression model explained 51% of the variance of long-term care hospital nurses' compassion satisfaction (F=35.72, <i>p</i><.001). Significant factors were dementia attitude (β=.23, <i>p</i>=.001), professional self-concept (β=.51, <i>p</i><.001), marital status (married) (β=.16, <i>p</i>=.019) and more than 10 years of clinical experience at a long-term care hospital (β=-.29, <i>p</i><.001). The regression model explained 36% of the variance of long-term care hospital nurses' compassion fatigue (F=12.93, <i>p</i><.001). Significant factors were dementia attitude (β=-.27, <i>p</i>=.001), burden on behavioral psychological symptoms of dementia (β=.38, <i>p</i><.001), women (β=.20, <i>p</i>=.005), more than 10 years of clinical experience at a long-term care hospital (β=.20, <i>p</i>=.004) and experience in education about dementia (yes) (β=-.16, <i>p</i>=.029). Conclusion: This study revealed several factors that are correlated with the professional quality of life of long-term care hospital nurses. To improve their quality of life, hospitals should help nurses have a positive attitude toward dementia, reduce the burden of behavioral psychological symptoms of dementia, and provide dementia care training.