The relationship of job and life satisfaction with symptoms of anxiety, depression, and irritability/anger in nurses

TL;DR

Nurses with higher anxiety, depression, and irritability report lower life and job satisfaction, highlighting the need for mental health support in the profession.

Contribution

This study identifies depressive symptoms as the strongest predictor of reduced life and job satisfaction among nurses.

Findings

All psychological symptoms were significantly and negatively correlated with life and job satisfaction.

Depressive symptoms were the strongest predictors of both life (β = −0.429) and job satisfaction (β = −0.315).

The study observed a high prevalence of psychological symptoms among nurses in Poland.

Abstract

The nursing profession involves substantial emotional and organizational demands, which may negatively affect nurses’ mental health and overall satisfaction with life and work.

To assess the levels of anxiety, depression, and irritability/anger symptoms in nurses and examine their associations with life and job satisfaction. In this study, the HADS-M subscale assessing irritability/anger was used. It captures symptoms of irritability and anger but does not measure aggression or anger expression as behavioral constructs.

A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among 538 registered nurses in Poland. Validated instruments were applied: HADS-M (for anxiety, depression, and irritability/anger symptoms), SWLS (life satisfaction), and SSP (job satisfaction). Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, Spearman’s rank-order correlations, internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha), and multiple linear regression (two-tailed, α = 0.05).

A high prevalence of psychological symptoms was observed. All symptom domains were significantly and negatively correlated with life and job satisfaction (p < 0.001). Multiple regression analyses indicated that depressive symptoms were the strongest predictors of both life satisfaction (β = −0.429) and job satisfaction (β = −0.315), followed by irritability/anger symptoms. All models were statistically significant (p < 0.001).

Anxiety, depression, and irritability/irritability/anger symptoms significantly reduce nurses’ satisfaction with life and work. Depressive symptoms exerted the most profound impact. These findings emphasize the urgent need for targeted mental health support programs and preventive strategies to enhance nurses’ well-being and professional performance.