Stress, alcohol, tobacco and illicit drug use amongst nurses: a Scottish study

Plant, Moira L.; Plant, Martin A.; Plant, Moira; Plant, Martin; Foster, Jean

Abstract

This paper examines levels of stress amongst a representative sample of 600 qualified nurses in the Lothian Region of Scotland The results indicated a number of significant variations in the patterns of stress amongst different subgroups of nurses The highest stress levels amongst females were evident amongst medical nurses while the lowest levels were reported by those in psychiatry No comparable differences were evident amongst males in different fields of nursing Stress was also associated with the use of alcohol, but not with tobacco smoking Illicit drug use was associated with stress amongst females Amongst both males and females the variable most predictive of stress was concern about AIDS Amongst females, administrative workload was an equally important predictor It is concluded that as the HIV/AIDS epidemic spreads efforts will be needed to support nursing staff and to reduce stress levels Copyright © 1992, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 1992
• Journal: Journal of Advanced Nursing
• Print ISSN: 0309-2402
• Electronic ISSN: 1365-2648
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 17
• Issue: 9
• Pages: 1057-1067
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2648.1992.tb02040.x
• Keywords: stress, alcohol, tobacco, drugs, nurses, Scotland
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/1109774
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2648.1992.tb02040.x