Background & Aims

Stress is defined as psychophysiological reactions generated by the perception of challenging demands. Persistent stress levels that exceed coping abilities may be associated with detrimental health consequences. One of the risk groups in terms of stress levels are pediatric healthcare workers. Stress in the work context can be associated with the use of different maladaptive coping strategies, impacting not only on a personal level but also on the quality of care, making an early detection and intervention approach relevant. Although there is no international consensus on the best instrument to evaluate the stress of pediatric health personnel, a promising scale is the Perceived Stress Scale (PPS-14), which, however, has shown various factorial solutions, making it relevant to study its operation. in each local reality for proper interpretation. The objective of this research is to carry out a preliminary adaptation and validation of the (PSS-14) for pediatric health professionals.

Methods

A comprehensive theoretical and empirical literature review was conducted about PSS-14. A multicenter pilot test was carried out in 4 Chilean children’s emergency departments, applying the PSS-14 to a sample of 65 health professionals. Cognitive interviews were conducted with 30% of the sample. Questions of understanding, interpretation, and opinion allowed for iterative cultural adjustments. Confirmatory factor analyzes of the original unifactor and bifactor model were performed according to contemporary evidence. The qualitative and quantitative results were contrasted to conclude the relevance of the use of the scale in emergency health personnel.

Results

The results of the factor analysis of the one-dimensional model showed an unsatisfactory fit of the data (?² = 366.782, df = 77, p < 0.001m RMSEA = 0.24, CFI = 0.787, TLI = 0.748 and SRMR = 0.14). The bifactor model showed promising results (?² = 143.212, df = 63, p < 0.001; RMSEA = 0.14, CFI = 0.94; TLI = 0.92; SRMR = 0.06). This bifactor model suggested two underlying dimensions of perceived stress, one positive coping with stress and the other negative. However, 5 problematic items were identified in both a quantitative and qualitative approaches. Perceptions about time control and each daily event, as well as the behavior of thinking about pending tasks, would not be appropriate in the work of a pediatric emergency department, where uncertainty is part of daily normality and are not considered as a problematic source of stress compared to other elements of your daily work routine.

Conclusions

The preliminary findings of the analyzes of the PSS-14 in emergency department health personnel supported the evidence of a bifactor interpretation of the scale over a unidimensional one, so summative calculations of the total items would not be appropriate for determine the stress level of health personnel. This is consistent with contemporary evidence. On the other hand, certain items of the scale require review for future research, and may not be relevant to evaluate the stress of emergency department health personnel. It is relevant to consider the contextual and functional work characteristics to select instruments adapted to the reality and specific needs of this professional group.

References

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Presenting Author

Scarlett Caroca

Poster Authors

Scarlett Caroca

BNSc

Universidad de Chile. Bachelor in Medicine, Universidad de Chile

Lead Author

E-mail

Mariela Bustamante

PhD

Universidad de Chile. Master in Health Psychology and Doctoral Candidate in Psychology Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile

Lead Author

E-mail

Sofia Hidalgo

BS

Universidad de Chile. Psychology Student, Universidad de Chile

Lead Author

Gabriela Ruiz

BNSc

Universidad de Chile. Medical Student, Universidad de Chile

Lead Author

Valeska Tapia

MD

Universidad de Chile

Lead Author

E-mail

Oscar Baquero

MD

Hospital Félix Bulnes, Chile

Lead Author

E-mail

Topics

  • Lifestyle Issues: Sleep/Diet/Exercise/Social Interactions