Exposure to Workplace Harassment and its Impact on Mental Health and Work Commitment Among Staff Nurses

Abd Alrahman Hassan, Ahmed; Osman Ali, Samah; Salama Abdelaziz Ahmed, Faten; Fathy Hamza, Mohga; Aly Hamed, Shymaa

doi:10.21608/ejhc.2024.368496

Exposure to Workplace Harassment and its Impact on Mental Health and Work Commitment Among Staff Nurses

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Lecturer of Nursing Administration, Faculty of Nursing, Cairo University, Egypt

² Lecturer of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Cairo University, Egypt

³ Assistant Professor of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Cairo University, Egypt

10.21608/ejhc.2024.368496

Abstract

Background: The mental health and work commitment of staff nurses are significantly impacted by exposure to workplace harassment. Nurses who endure workplace harassment, which encompasses bullying, sexual harassment, and physical and nonphysical violence, are considerably more susceptible to symptoms of anxiety, depression, and exhaustion. Aim: Assess workplace sexual harassment and its impact on staff nurses’ mental health and work commitment. Design: A descriptive correlational design was utilized to carry out the study. Setting: The study was conducted online through the Microsoft team program in Egypt and Arabic countries. Sample: A convenience sample of (641) staff nurses. Tools: Socio-demographic tool, workplace harassment experience questionnaire, and Employee Commitment Questionnaire were used to collect data. Results: (33.9%) of staff nurses exposed to workplace harassment, (31.5%) of them had moderate levels of depression, (35.4%) of the study sample suffered extremely severe anxiety, and (36.2%) of them had moderate levels of stress. (44.1%) of the study, the sample had a high level of work commitment. There was a strong statistically significant correlation between the exposure of staff nurses to harassment, their mental health, and work commitment. Conclusion: The current study concludes exposure to workplace sexual harassment affects nurses' mental health and work commitment Recommendation: Create and explain a clear, comprehensive policy that expressly restricts workplace harassment, monitors and responds to Incidents, regular evaluations for staff satisfaction and staff commitment, and evaluates staff stressors.

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