J Korean Neuropsychiatr Assoc.  2016 Aug;55(3):271-276. 10.4306/jknpa.2016.55.3.271.

Temperament and Character Traits, Heart Rate Variability and Occupational Stress in New Nursing Employees

• Ko MS
• Jang YL
• Choi JS
• Shim HB
• Nam HJ
• Wang MS
• Lee ID
• Lee HW

• KMID: 2351554
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4306/jknpa.2016.55.3.271

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Nursing is a job with high stress. This study investigated the relationship between temperament and character traits, heart rate variability, and the severity of occupational stress in new nursing employees.
METHODS
Ninety-seven nurses newly employed in a Seoul Medical Center from April 2014 to September 2015 were included to the study. Before beginning employment, all subjects were asked to complete a sociodemographic questionnaire and Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI). After they were employed for a month, we administered a heart rate variability test and Korean Occupational Stress Scale (KOSS).
RESULTS
Harm avoidance (r=0.334, p=0.001), self-transcendence (r=0.224, p=0.028) and KOSS scores were positively correlated. Self-directedness (r=-0.278, p=0.006) and cooperativeness (r=-0.263, p=0.009) were negatively correlated with KOSS scores. In multiple regression analyses, harm avoidance and cooperativeness were risk factors for severe occupational stress. Physical parameters of total power (r=0.303, p=0.003), very low frequency (VLF ; r=0.318, p=0.002), and standard deviation of the NN interval (r=0.220, p=0.030) were significantly associated with higher KOSS scores. In multiple regression analysis, VLF was significant correlated with KOSS scores.
CONCLUSION
Individual factors, such as personality trait or autonomic function, may affect the occupational stress vulnerability on this study. Harm avoidance, cooperativeness in TCI parameters are associated with severity of the occupational stress.

Keyword

Occupational stress; Temperament and character; Heart rate variability; Nurse

MeSH Terms

Employment
Heart Rate*
Heart*
Nursing*
Risk Factors
Seoul
Temperament*

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