Leadership and person-centeredness – important factors of job strain and stress of conscience among nurse assistants’ working in residential care

Introduction : It is important to investigate the job strain and stress of

conscience (SC) of NAs not only for the sake of nurse assistants

(NAs), but also due to the impact on the quality of care they provide.

Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate job strain, SC and

associated variables among NAs working in residential care. Method :

NAs (n=225) completed questionnaires, including job strain, SC and

potentially associated variables. The variables were compared

concerning high and low job strain and SC and were explored with

multiple linear regression analyses. Results : Organisational and

environmental support, personalised care provision and, a positive

caring climate were associated with low job strain and SC as well as

NAs receiving a supportive leadership. In addition, having compulsory

schooling in comparison with upper secondary schooling was

associated with low job strain and SC. Factors related to health

complaints and work-related information were associated with high

job strain and SC. Conclusion : Exploring and adopting a broader

perspective of factors which are connected to strenuous aspects of

NAs’ work situation in residential care are important for the provision

and management of nursing-care. In order to ensure the wellbeing of

NAs and in turn the quality of care, both the NAs and their leaders

need to be addressed simultaneously. Person-centeredness concerns

the actual care-provision and the care climate which need to be

implemented into the care system/care philosophy. This highlights the

importance of the leaders’ role as crucial when implementing or

sustaining person-centred care in residential care for older people.