Resumo

MCINTYRE, Teresa Mendonça; MCINTYRE, Scott Elmes  e  SILVERIO, Jorge. Respostas de stress e recursos de coping nos enfermeiros. Aná. Psicológica [online]. 1999, vol.17, n.3, pp.513-527. ISSN 0870-8231.

This is a preliminary report of a larger study which aims at determining the sources of stress, stress responses and coping resources of Portuguese health providers using a comprehensive model of occupational stress. This sample is comprised of 62 Portuguese nurses of both sexes from regional hospitals in Northern Portugal selected from units with chronically ill patients (e.g. rehabilitation). The subjects were given the Coping Resources Inventory for Stress, the Brief Personal Survey and a brief demographic information form. The two instruments were previously adapted and validated for Portugal by the authors. The results indicate that the three main sources of stress for providers are work load, poor physical and technical conditions and patient overload. The providers responded to stress predominantly with suicide ideation, denial, physical symptoms and depressed mood. The coping resources most reported were the extent of social support, the ability to organise and manage resources, financial freedom and the ability to monitor stress. There was a significant impact of some demographic and professional variables on the sources of stress, stress responses and coping resources, especially the nurses' professional status. The study confirmed previously found relationships between one's stress response and availability of coping resources. The sources of stress found in the Portuguese nurses are similar to those reported in other countries for various health providers. The predominant stress responses found (denial and physical symptoms), although well accepted in the Portuguese medical culture, indicate indirect and potentially dysfunctional reactions to stress which may adversely affect both the provider and the patient. These results point to the urgent need for psychological intervention to support Portuguese health professionals.

Palavras-chave : Occupational stress; nurses; coping resources.

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