Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology

Abstract

Background:Health care professionals working in infectious diseases units or hospitals are at higher risk for being affected by certain contagious pathogens than other professional groups through direct contact, equipment, and contaminated supplies; therefore, they are working under ongoing stress that negatively impacting their psychological well-being.

Aims:This study aims to assess the mental well-being of healthcare professionals working in infectious diseases units and compare these results to the score of other healthcare professionals working in other units.

Methodology:A comparative study design using a convenience sample of (N=300) healthcare professionals (150 working in the infectious diseases units and 150 working in different units). The General Health Questionnaire-28 was used to assess the mental health of study subjects.

Results:Recent findings indicate a statistically difference between study group and comparative group (p= <0.05), which means that healthcare providers working in the infectious disease units are at higher risk for psychological disturbance than the comparative group. Moreover, other work factors are found to have significant relationship with professionals’ mental health, such as infection prevention trainings, years of experience in infectious diseases units, availability of personal protection equipment and hand hygiene, and number of patients in the unit.

Conclusion:Working in high risk work environment increases the concern about personal safety and impose ongoing stress, which negatively influence professional’s mental well-being. More training about infection prevention and provide personal protection materials help reducing the risk of disease transmission among patients and to health care providers.

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Abstract

Background:Emotional Intelligence is a broad concept that connecting various personality and cognitive traits of human beings. The concept of emotional intelligence is described as the individual’s capability of recognizing their own emotions and the emotions of others, and practice this understanding to navigate important interactions successfully.

Aims:The purpose of this study is to assess emotional intelligence among nurses working in psychiatric hospitals, as well as the relationship between emotional intelligence and workplace stress.

Methodology:A descriptive correlational study design using a convenience sample of (N=109) nurses working in two main psychiatric hospitals. Two separated scales (The Emotional Intelligence Scale-34 items and The Work-related Stress scale-24 items) was used to meet the study objectives.

Results:The study findings indicate that emotional intelligence levels were ranged between moderate to high among study participants. However, the majority had moderate work-related stress about (61%). Nurses’ work stress was found to have significant relationship with their emotional intelligent level.

Conclusion and Recommendations:Despite the positive levels of emotional intelligence nurse have, working in psychiatric hospitals is still cause of stress for nurses. The statistical relationship found in this study highlights the importance of enhancing emotional intelligence among nurses working in psychiatric hospitals settings by engaging them in effective training programs to maximize their abilities of adjustment and reduce their levels of work-stress.

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