The relationship between job stress and quality of life among midwives and nurses: A case study of a public hospital in Kocaeli province

Aim: This study was conducted to examine the relationship between job stress levels and quality of life among midwives and nurses, and to determine whether these variables differ according to sociodemographic characteristics. Methods: This descriptive and cross-sectional study included a sample of 304 healthcare professionals. Data were collected using the General Job Stress Scale and the Professional Quality of Life Scale (ProQOL). Descriptive statistics, independent samples t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Pearson correlation analysis, and post-hoc tests were used for data analysis. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Results: The overall job stress level of the participants was found to be moderate (24.28±7.64). Among the subdimensions of professional quality of life, the mean scores were 37.34±8.73 for professional satisfaction, 30.54±5.73 for burnout, and 21.22±9.88 for compassion fatigue. A significant and strong negative correlation was found between job stress and professional satisfaction (r =-0.522; p <0.001), while significant positive correlations were found with burnout (r = 0.464; p < 0.001) and compassion fatigue (r = 0.566; p < 0.001). It was determined that job stress levels decreased with increasing age and years of professional experience, whereas professional satisfaction increased. No significant effects of educational level, job position, or duration of employment in the current unit were found on job stress or professional quality of life. A significant difference was observed between working hours and professional satisfaction, with higher satisfaction levels reported among night-shift workers. Conclusion: The findings indicate that job stress experienced by midwives and nurses is a key determinant of their quality of life. Increased job stress reduces professional satisfaction while increasing burnout and compassion fatigue. Accordingly, it is recommended to develop interventions aimed at reducing job stress and to implement strategies that support the psychosocial well-being of healthcare professionals in healthcare institutions. Keywords: Job stress, professional satisfaction, burnout, compassion fatigue, midwives, nurses