Korean J Occup Health Nurs.  2024 Nov;33(4):191-199. 10.5807/kjohn.2024.33.4.191.

Factors Influencing End-of-Life Care Stress among Nurses in a Superior General Hospital

• Jeong SY
• Kim M

• KMID: 2564510
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5807/kjohn.2024.33.4.191

Abstract

Purpose
This study aimed to identify the effects of end-of-life care competencies, death anxiety, and social support on stress among nurses at a superior general hospital.
Methods
The participants were 198 nurses who had experience providing end-of-life care at a superior general hospital in city B. Data were collected between March 15, 2024, and April 14, 2024. Data were analyzed using the IBM SPSS Statistics 27 program for frequency, average, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and multiple regression analysis.
Results
Factors influencing end-of-life care stress were death anxiety (β=.38, p<.001), age (21~25 years, β=-.23, p=.036), and religion (β=.23, p=.017), with an explanatory power of 20.1% (F=9.26, p<.001). Social support did not significantly affects end-of-life stress.
Conclusion
Death anxiety, age, and religion significantly affected nurses’ stress experiences during end-of-life care. The findings suggest that tailored education, emotional support, and organizational strategies addressing nurses' age and experience and balancing personal beliefs with professional duties are essential for reducing end-of-life stress. These results can inform strategies for improving the quality of end-of-life care and enhance nurses' well-being.

Keyword

End-of-life care; Competence; Stress; Social support; Anxiety