Does self-efficacy mediate the relationship between occupational stress and mental health problems? A study among nursing professionals

Background: While it is acknowledged that self-efficacy plays a significant role in understanding of consequences of occupational stress, no research has given much attention to the mediating effect of self-efficacy in the association between occupational stress and mental health (MH) problems. The aims of this study were to examine: (1) the associations between occupational stress, MH problems, and self-efficacy among nursing professionals, and (2) mediating effect of self-efficacy in the association between occupational stress and MH problems. Methods: A multi-hospital cross-sectional survey was adopted in eight hospitals in Tabriz, Iran. 389 nursing staff were recruited through a two-stage sampling procedure. Study variables included occupational stress (Health & Safety Executive [HSE] Management Standards Revised Indicator Tool [MS-RIT]), mental health (General Health Questionnaire [GHQ-28]), and self-efficacy (General Self-Efficacy [GSE-10]). Generalised structural equation modelling (GSEM) was applied. Results: Occupational stress (mean +/- SD = 109.2 +/- 13.4), poor MH (41.9%), and low self-efficacy (mean +/- SD = 17.7 +/- 4.9) were fairly common among the participants. The results showed significant direct effect of occupational stress on MH problems (beta = -0.38, P < 0.001). Indirect effect of occupational stress on MH problems through self-efficacy was not significant. Conclusion: The findings highlight the role of other mechanisms or factors than self-efficacy in the association between occupational stress and MH problems that should be established in future work.