Assessments of stress of conscience, burnout and social support amongst care providers in home care and residential care for older people

Background Studies points to that levels of stress of conscience and burnout among staff in healthcare contexts may seriously affect their health. Aim To compare assessments and associations of stress of conscience, perceptions of conscience, social support and burnout amongst care providers working in home care respectively residential care for older people. Methods This cross-sectional descriptive comparative study was performed among all care providers working in home care (n = 227) and residential care of older people (n = 354) in a municipality in northern Sweden. Data was collected using four different questionnaires. Analysis were performed using partial least square regression, descriptive statistics, statistical tests and effect size measures. Results Care providers in residential care of older people assessed higher levels of stress of conscience compared to those working in home care. Exhaustion was an important predictor for belonging to the group of care providers working in residential care of older people. The most important predictor for belonging to the group of care providers working in home care were social support from one's immediate superior and co-workers. Women assessed significantly higher levels of stress of conscience and exhaustion compared to men. Conclusion Further research seems needed to investigate what the high levels of stress of conscience is caused by. A combined intervention consisting of work-directed measures against burnout and measures aiming at reducing stress of conscience is suggested.