Psychosocial Risk Factors and Their Association with Mental Health Status among Healthcare Workers Cover Image

Sağlık Çalışanlarında Psikososyal Risk Etmenleri ve Mental Sağlık Durumu ile İlişkisi
Psychosocial Risk Factors and Their Association with Mental Health Status among Healthcare Workers

Author(s): Saadet KARAKUŞ
Subject(s): Social psychology and group interaction, Organizational Psychology, Behaviorism, Health and medicine and law, Human Resources in Economy
Published by: Orhan Sağçolak
Keywords: Psychosocial Risks; Mental Health; GHQ-12; COPSOQ-II; Healthcare Workers; Shift Work; Night Shift; Occupational Health and Safety;

Summary/Abstract: Purpose – This study aims to identify the psychosocial risk factors to which healthcare workers are exposed, to analyse these factors quantitatively according to socio-demographic variables, and to examine the association between psychosocial risk exposure and mental health status. Design/methodology/approach – A cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted with 345 healthcare professionals working in healthcare facilities on the Asian side of Istanbul. Psychosocial risk levels were assessed using COPSOQ-II (69 items, 20 subscales) and mental health status was evaluated with GHQ-12 (Likert scoring 0–36, cut-off ≥13). Data were analysed using independentsamples t-tests, one-way ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis H, and chi-square tests; normality was assessed based on skewness and kurtosis coefficients. Results – Of participants, 52.8% worked shifts and 58.8% worked night shifts. The mean GHQ-12 score was 32.42 ± 5.55, substantially above the ≥13 cut-off. Night-shift workers (M=33.12) and those who experienced a work-related accident (M=34.51) showed higher GHQ-12 scores. Male workers had significantly higher cognitive and sensory demand scores (p<0.05). Quantitative demands, cognitive demands, emotional demands, role conflict, leadership quality, feedback, and job insecurity were significantly associated with GHQ-12 scores (p<0.05). Discussion – Significant associations were found between psychosocial risks and mental health status. Night-shift work and work-related accident experience were associated with higher psychological burden. Regular COPSOQ-based psychosocial risk screening, leadership training, equitable shift scheduling, and institutional psychological support programmes are recommended.

  • Issue Year: 18/2026
  • Issue No: 2
  • Page Range: 1718-1727
  • Page Count: 10
  • Language: Turkish
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