ommunication skills of head nurses and its relationship to work engagement and psychological distress of staff nurses in the Iranian context: An observational multicenter study

Background: The communication skills of head nurses with staff nurses are critical to supporting the job functions and effectiveness of a staff nurse, which directly impacts quality patient care. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the communication skills of head nurses and its relationship to work engagement and psychological distress of nurses. Methods: This cross-sectional study conducted on ۲۶۴ nurses. Participants were included in the study using Stratified randomization. Data were collected using a demographic information form, the MayfIeid's Motivational Language Scale, the Schaufelis Work Engagement Scale, and the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale. Results: The mean (SD) score of head nurses' communication skills is [۶۶.۹۲ (۲۰.۶۹) out of ۱۲۰]. Work engagement scores were [۳۰.۱۷ (۱۲.۰۴) out of ۵۴] and psychological distress of nurses in the moderate levels [۲۵.۱۵ (۸.۷۷) out of ۵۰], respectively. The relationship between head nurse's communication skills with work engagement of nurses was positive (r=۰.۳۴, p<۰.۰۰۱) and negative with nurses' psychological distress (r= -۰.۲۶, p<۰.۰۰۱). There was also a significant and inverse relationship between work engagement and nurses' psychological distress (r = -۰.۴۳, p< ۰.۰۰۱). Regression analysis showed that head nurses' communication skills predicted ۱۱.۷% of nurses' work engagement and ۶.۷% of nurses' psychological distress. Conclusion: The communication skills of head nurses were moderate from the nurse's perspective. However, these skills are associated with high levels of nurses' work engagement and less psychological distress. Therefore, it is necessary to plan to implement programs to increase head nurses' communication skills and thus improve the quality of nursing care in the study population.

کلیدواژه ها:

Communication skills ، Work engagement ، psychological distress ، Head nurses ، Nurses