Stress and work-life in a university hospital in Turkey: Evaluation of the Brief Symptom Inventory and ways of coping inventory in hospital staff

It has long been recognized that work can influence mental well-being. Quality of medical care is dependent upon the mental well-being of health care professionals. Determination of factors in job stress is important, because it will help to prevent it. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship of work-related stress with work life variables by using The Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) and Brief Coping Styles Inventory (BCSI). A survey was conducted among hospital staff of a university teaching hospital in Turkey. Response rate was 52.4% (N=152). A questionnaire included 47 questions on sociodemographic variables and lifestyle. Nineteen questions were derived from the Work-life Evaluation Scales. Psychological symptom status was assessed with BSI. Coping styles with stress behavior was evaluated with BCSI. Most participants showed medium level BSI subscale scores, but global indexes were at a higher level. Females had higher depression and anxiety scores than did males; graduates of university programs (mostly nurses) had higher somatisation, obsessive compulsive interpersonal sensitivity, depression, hostility, paranoid ideation, global severity index, positive symptom total and positive symptom distress index scores than did other respondents of other educational levels, staff who were employed by the university (i.e., residents and nurses) had higher BSI symptom scores. In conclusion, even though the respondents did not seem generally to be dissatisfied concerning their work-life, the majority of staff had depressive symptoms and were distressed. Nurses and residents in particular, should receive counseling concerning coping styles with stress.