The role of workplace social capital, compassion satisfaction and secondary traumatic stress in affective organisational commitment of a sample of Iranian nurses

Abstract

Background Affective organisational commitment (AOC) refers to employees’ emotional attachment to the organisation and identification with it. It is vital that nurses explore contributors to their AOC because they stand as the largest group of employees in healthcare organisations. Aim This cross-sectional, analytical study explored the role of workplace social capital (WSC), compassion satisfaction (CS), and secondary traumatic stress (STS) in AOC in a sample of Iranian nurses. Method The study sample consisted of 250 nurses working in eight hospitals affiliated with Birjand University of Medical Sciences, eastern Iran. Participants’ WSC was measured using the Social Capital at Work Scale developed by Kouvonen et al. (2006). CS and STS were measured using CS and STS dimensions of the Professional Quality of Life measure (Version 5) developed by Stamm (2010). Results Significant positive associations were found between WSC and AOC ( p < 0.001), between the cognitive dimension of WSC and AOC ( p < 0.001), between the structural dimension of WSC and AOC ( p < 0.001), and between CS and AOC ( p < 0.001). The correlation between STS and AOC ( p < 0.001) was negatively significant. Conclusion Effort to promote WSC and CS on the one hand and prevention and early recognition of STS on the other hand can enhance nurses’ AOC.