# Assessment of Psychosocial Determinants of Quality of Life Among Healthcare Professionals at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Chennai, India

## TL;DR

This study found that nurses and healthcare workers with long hours have lower quality of life, highlighting the need for better support and work-life balance.

## Contribution

The study provides empirical evidence on psychosocial determinants of quality of life among healthcare professionals in a tertiary hospital in India.

## Key findings

- Nurses had significantly lower quality of life scores than doctors across all domains.
- Working more than 48 hours per week was strongly linked to reduced quality of life in social and physical health.
- Longer employment duration was associated with higher quality of life in physical and psychological domains.

## Abstract

Background: Work-related pressures among healthcare workers (HCWs) are substantial and can adversely affect their quality of life (QoL). Understanding the psychosocial and occupational factors influencing QoL is crucial for developing effective strategies to enhance the healthcare workforce's well-being and performance. This study aimed to assess the QoL of healthcare professionals at a tertiary care hospital in Chennai, India, and to examine the impact of occupational and psychological factors on their overall well-being.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 242 healthcare professionals in a tertiary care hospital in Chennai (111 medical doctors, 131 nurses) using convenience sampling. Data were collected on sociodemographic characteristics, occupational variables (working hours, length of employment, workplace support), and QoL using standardized based on Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) for stress measurement, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) for sleep quality, the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) for alcohol consumption, and the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) for smoking behavior across four domains (physical health, psychological health, social relationships, and environmental health). Comparative analyses between subgroups were performed using independent t-tests, while Pearson correlation assessed relationships between occupational factors and QoL domains.

Results: Nurses reported significantly lower QoL scores than doctors across all domains (total QoL: 57.16 vs. 63.6; p < 0.001). Healthcare professionals working more than 48 hours per week had notably reduced QoL, particularly in social relationships (12.5 vs. 14.88) and physical health (13.14 vs. 15.11), with strong negative correlations observed (social: r = -0.577; physical: r = -0.492). Participants with more than one year of employment demonstrated higher QoL in physical (14.15 vs. 12.78) and psychological domains (12.83 vs. 11.56), suggesting adaptation and professional stability. Workplace support showed a modest positive association with psychological health (r = 0.179).

Conclusion: QoL among healthcare professionals is strongly influenced by occupation, working hours, employment duration, and workplace support. Nurses and those with longer working hours are particularly vulnerable to lower QoL. Interventions promoting work-life balance, workload management, mentorship, and mental health support are essential to enhance the well-being and professional satisfaction of healthcare personnel in tertiary care settings.