Self-esteem in mental health nurses: Its relationship to stress, coping and burnout

Abstract

This paper examines the relationship between self-esteem and stress, coping and burnout in mental health nurses (n=568). Self-esteem is said to be one of the most important moderating variables in determining the effects of stress on individuals. The modified Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale was administered to nurses in both hospital and community, along with a range of other standardised measures. While there were no significant differences in self- esteem between the two groups of mental health nurses, smokers and drinkers in the sample were found to have significantly lower levels of self- esteem. Equally, nurses who felt happy with their life, were physically fit and who had job security, had higher self-esteem scores. Self-esteem correlated highest with measures of stress. Multiple regression analyses showed that happiness was one of the best predictors of self-esteem. Evidence is also presented on the discriminative validity of the concept of self-esteem. Enhancing nurses' levels of self-esteem may help reduce staff stress levels. Future nursing stress research needs to examine the role of other moderating variables.