Personality Hardiness, Work-Related Stress, and Health in Hospital Nurses

Abstract

Personality hardiness is a set of beliefs about oneself and the world one lives in. Hardier persons take control of their lives, believe that commitment to goals will result in positive outcomes, and perceive daily stressors as challenges. Hardiness has been linked with less stress and fewer health problems among various occupational groups. This study found that among 237 hospital nurses, work-related stress and emotional exhaustion were associated with greater health problems in the form of anxiety, depression, and somatic complaints. Hardier nurses reported less work-related stress, less emotional exhaustion, and less anxiety, depression, and somatization. This article discusses considerations for strengthening future studies concerned with the relationships between personality hardiness, work-related stress, and health in nurses.