HOPELESSNESS AND LONELINESS AMONG HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS

HOPELESSNESS AND LONELINESS

Abstract

Background: Healthcare professionals face psychosocial and emotional challenges. Nurses make up the largest group among health professionals. This study aimed to explore loneliness and hopelessness levels of the nurses working at different units.

Material and Method: Nurses working at the psychiatry, surgery, and intensive care units in three hospitals in Istanbul were included in the survey. Nurses were administered UCLA loneliness and Beck hopelessness scales.

Results: Mean loneliness scores of nurses who worked at psychiatry clinics were lower as compared to those who worked at surgery and intensive care units but mean loneliness scores of nurses who worked at surgery and intensive care units were similar (p<0.05). Mean hopelessness scores of nurses who worked at psychiatry clinics were lower while mean hopelessness scores of nurses who worked at intensive care clinics were higher (p<0.05). There were positive correlations between loneliness and hopelessness feelings (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Different work-settings and conditions were effective upon nurses’ loneliness and hopelessness levels.