Evaluation of workplace incivility and stress coping styles in emergency workers

Objective: The study was conducted to evaluate workplace incivility and stress coping styles among emergency healthcare workers. Method: The research was conducted in a descriptive, cross-sectional and correlational type. The research sample consisted of 123 emergency health workers working in a state hospital emergency department. Introductory Information Form, Workplace Incivility Scale (WIS) and Stress Coping Styles Scale (SCSS) were used in data collection. Data were analyzed using values such as number, mean, standard deviation, percentage, minimum, maximum, median, and Mann Whitney U, Krusskall Wallis, Kruskal Wallis variance analysis, and Bonferroni-corrected Mann Whitney U test, Spearman correlation, and Multiple Linear Regression tests to determine between which groups the difference occurred if a significant difference was found. Results: The mean score of emergency healthcare workers in the WIS was 1.80±0.72, and the sub-dimensions of the SCSS were "Self-Confident Approach" 2.89±0.58, "Optimistic Approach" 2.75±0.54, "Desperate Approach" 2.19±0.54, "Submissive Approach" 2.12±0.53, and "Seeking Social Support" 2.69±0.54. The mean score of those working 40 hours or less per week was found to be lower. It was found that the mean score of those aged 18-24 was lower; those who were married and had children, and those working 8 hours or less per day had higher mean scores for optimistic approach and self confident approach (p<0.05). Those with 11-15 years of experience in the profession, those working 8 hours or less per day, those working 40 hours or less per week, and those caring for less than 100 patients during working hours had lower mean helpless approach style scores (p<0.05). Those who were high school graduates, those with 11-15 years of experience in the profession, those working 9-15 hours per day, those working 71 hours or more per week, and those caring for 151 or more patients during working hours had higher mean submissive approach style scores (p<0.05). Those working 9-15 hours per day, those working 71 hours or more per week had lower mean seeking social support scores (p<0.05). It was determined that there was a moderate positive relationship (r=0.423; p<0.01) between workplace incivility and the sub-dimension of the styles of coping with stress scale, which is a helpless approach sub-dimension, and a low positive relationship (r=0.261; p<0.01) between the sub-dimension of the styles of coping with stress scale. According to the regression model, it was found that the variables of satisfaction with the unit, chronic disease status and the helpless approach sub-dimension of the styles of coping with stress scale significantly predicted the workplace incivility scale (p<0.05). Conclusion: Emergency healthcare workers experience moderate levels of workplace incivility. As healthcare workers' workplace incivility scores increase, they use the helpless approach and submissive approach styles more. It is recommended that emergency healthcare workers and managers be provided with in-service training to increase their awareness of workplace incivility, develop policies and strategies for prevention, increase workplace satisfaction, and strengthen stress coping styles.