THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN WORK STRESS, AND SOMATIC SYMPTOMS AMONG NURSES: THE MEDIATING ROLE OF JOB SATISFACTION

Abstract

Nurses in Pakistan face significant workplace stress due to their demanding roles in healthcare, high patient-to-nurse ratios, resource constraints, and systemic healthcare problems. This stress can lead to physical health problems such as immune system weakness hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases. The country's healthcare system, with high illness rates, lack of funding, and insufficient personnel, exacerbates the stress experienced by nurses. High levels of work-related stress are directly correlated with increased somatic symptoms, leading to burnout, depression, weakened immune function, increased susceptibility to illness, and higher rates of cardiovascular disease. Job dissatisfaction is positively correlated with lower patient safety attitudes. The study aims to investigate the relationship between work stress and somatic symptoms among nurses, exploring how job satisfaction mediates this relationship. It seeks to understand if higher job satisfaction can reduce the physical symptoms caused by work stress. The study emphasizes the significance of organizational initiatives aimed at improving job satisfaction and reducing work stress for employee health and well-being. The research highlights the complex relationship between work stress, job satisfaction, and somatic symptoms, emphasizing the mediating role of job satisfaction.