Relationships between personality and symptoms of anxiety and depression among healthcare workers new to their current workplace

Abstract

The aim of this study was to identify any relationships between personality and symptoms of anxiety and depression for healthcare workers new to their current workplace. An online questionnaire was given to a total of 12 000 nursing assistants and 12 000 nurses, randomly selected from members of the Norwegian Union of Municipal and General Employees and the Norwegian Nurses Organization. From this, healthcare workers new to their current workplace were selected for this study (n= 883). The Mini-IPIP and HADS were used to measure personality, anxiety and depression. No separation between nurses and nursing assistants was made. The findings show a statistically significant, moderate and positive relationship between neuroticism and symptoms of anxiety, and a significant, moderate to strong and positive relationship between neuroticism and symptoms of depression. Agreeableness and was found to have a significant, small negative association with anxiety symptoms, while number of children showed a significant positive, but weak relationship with symptoms of anxiety. For symptoms of depression gender showed a small, significant and negative association. Longitudinal studies are recommended so one can state with certainty that neuroticism predicts symptoms of anxiety and depression in healthcare workers new to their workplace. More information in this field might be helpful in making even better programs to help healthcare workers in their new workplace, to prevent sickness absence and to keep healthcare workers in their jobs.