Differential aspects of chronic work-related stress predict depression in registered and geriatric nurses

Background: Chronic work stress is a problem which persists among nurses for several reasons and studies suggest that both levels of stress and depression remain on an ongoing high level. However, not much is known about the impact of differential aspects of chronic work-related stress on levels of depression when investigating geriatric and registered nurses. Aim: The aim of this study was to analyse the relationship between various aspects of chronic work stress and levels of depression in geriatric and registered nurses. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey among 370 nurses was carried out. Besides demographic information, several aspects of chronic work stress were assessed with the Trier Inventory of Chronic Stress and levels of depression with the Beck Depression Inventory-II. Statistical analyses included multiple linear regression. Results: Most important work-related predictors of depression scores in nurses were ’Work dissatisfaction’ (ß = .237; 95 %-CI: [.194; .280]) and ’Work overload’ ( ß = .161; 95 %-CI: [.124; .198]) within blockwise multiple regression analysis. A previously diagnosed psychiatric disorder ( ß = –.268; 95 %-CI: [–.313; –.223]) proved to be the strongest predictor of nurses’ depression experience. Our model explained 37 % of variance in depression scores. However, being a geriatric or registered nurse did not predict levels of depression. Conclusions: Different aspects of chronic work stress seem to be associated with levels of depression in nurses. This should be taken into account when working on the improvement of working conditions for nurses.