Comparing Feelings of Loneliness and Happiness in Children of Female Nurses with Overtime and Mandatory Shift Work

Sareh  Amini; Narges  Sadeghi; Maryam  Moghimian

doi:10.18502/tbj.v24i3.20757

Sareh Amini M.Sc.of Nursing Department of Nursing, Isf.C., Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran
Narges Sadeghi Associate Professor Department of Nursing, Isf.C., Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran
Maryam Moghimian Associate Professor Department of Nursing, Na.C., Islamic Azad University, Najafabad, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/tbj.v24i3.20757

Keywords: Happiness, Loneliness, Nurse, Children, Shift Work

Abstract

Introduction: The nursing profession for female nurses, in addition to maternal duties, creates problems in meeting the psychological needs of their children. This study was conducted with the aim of comparing feelings of loneliness and happiness in the children of female nurses who work overtime and do shift work.

Methods: This is a descriptive-comparative study.The research population was the children of female nurses working in the emergency room of Al-Zahra Hospital in Isfahan. 120 nurses were selected based on the inclusion criteria and were divided into two groups of nurses working on shifts and those wprking overtime. The data collection tools included the demographic characteristics form, Usher and Wheeler loneliness questionnaires, and Oxford happiness questionnaires. The data were analyzed in SPSS version 20 software.

Rusults: The samples were compared in two groups including 60 children of nurses who worked overtime and did shift work. In working overtime group, the average happiness score was significantly lower (p=0/001), which had a significant negative relationship with the variables of being an only child (p=0/05), older child age (p=0/006), and being female (p=0/006). Among the happiness dimensions, the positive mood dimension had the highest, and the life satisfaction dimension had the lowest impact. The average loneliness score of children of nurses working shift work was significantly higher (p=0/001), which had a significant negative relationship with the variables of being an only child (p=0/02), older child age (p=0/03), and female (p=0/001). Among the loneliness dimensions, the emotional loneliness dimension had the highest, and the social loneliness dimension had the lowest impact.

Conclusion: The results of the present study show that children whose nursing mothers are away from them for a longer period of time, experience more emotional loneliness and have lower happiness and positive mood. Given the greater impact of the absence of the mother on the happiness and loneliness of adolescent female children in small-population families, it is necessary for health policymakers to pay special attention to providing human resources and providing shift work to maintain the psychosocial health of children of nursing mothers.