SLAUGYTOJŲ PSICHOSOCIALINIŲ DARBO APLINKOS VEIKSNIŲ SĄSAJOS SU PSICHIKOS SVEIKATA IR JŲ VALDYMO PADARINIAI: IŠPLĖSTINĖ LITERATŪROS APŽVALGA

Abstract

Nurses face high occupational demands, and their professional activities are continuously influenced by various psychosocial work environment factors. Consequently, managing these factors becomes a crucial component of healthcare personnel’s well-being. This article examines three primary psychosocial work environment factors—workload, night shifts, and emotional strain—and their associations with nurses’ mental health. Drawing on recent scientific literature, the study analyzes how the intensity of these factors correlates with increased risks of distress, anxiety, burnout, and depression among nurses, as well as managerial strategies that can mitigate their negative impact. Emphasis is placed on the importance of work organization, shift scheduling, resource allocation, and emotional support systems to ensure psychological safety and positive emotional well-being. The literature review reveals that psychosocial work environment factors are key contributors to nurses’ mental health risks. Workload, night shifts, and emotional burden increase the likelihood of distress, anxiety, burnout, and depression. Effective management of these factors is essential to reduce adverse effects on employee well-being and to ensure the provision of high-quality healthcare services. The review highlights that managing psychosocial factors is not only a matter of employee health but also an organizational management concern, making its integration vital for fostering a sustainable and nurse-friendly work environment. To improve nurses’ mental health, it is important to implement comprehensive managerial interventions: optimizing workload, ensuring rational shift scheduling—particularly by limiting prolonged night work—strengthening organizational support and social assistance, as well as incorporating stress management and emotional support programs. These measures contribute to creating a sustainable work environment, reducing staff turnover, and enhancing patient safety.
Keywords: nurses, psychosocial work environment, workload, night shifts, emotional burden, mental health, management.