The effect of job insecurity on anxiety and depression in nurses

Introduction As a result of changing in structure of work life over the past two decades, the nurses among the health care workers have been prone to negative consequences of job insecurity. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of job security on depression and anxiety among nurses working in the private health sector. Methods In this cross-sectional study nurses in private hospitals were surveyed in Izmir. There were 16 private hospitals and 11 accepted to participate the study. There were 478 nurses and 462 responded. Quantitative and qualitative measures of job insecurity were assessed by means of a questionnaire. Hospital anxiety and depression scale were used to assess subjective anxiety and depression. Job strain was assessed by Demand-Control-Support Questionnaire. Chi-square and logistic regression were used for analysis. Results Mean age was 27.7 ± 7.3. Of the nurses %78.4?ü were younger than 30 years; 93.1% women; 52.2% graduated from vocational school; 53.9% single. 34.4% were involved in shift work, and 72.3% worked overtime. Anxiety was significantly high among the qualitative (OR:2.15, 95%CI:1.19?3.87) and quantitative (OR:3.40, 95%CI:1.87?6.21) insecure nurses. Depression was significantly high among the qualitative (OR:2.51, %95 CI: 1.55-4.08) and quantitave (OR:2.23, %95 CI: 1.39-5.59) insecure nurses. Conclusion: Qualitative and quantitative job insecurity significantly effect anxiety and depression levels in nurses working in private hospitals.