The Extent of Psychosocial Distress among Immigrant and Non-Immigrant Homecare Nurses: a Comparative cross Sectional Survey

Abstract

In times of demographic change, most developed countries are increasingly looking to cover the growing domestic demand for healthcare by hiring nurses from abroad. The evidence concerning the health of immigrant care workers is inconsistent since studies report that it is either better or more impaired than that of their non-immigrant counterparts. This study compared the extent of occupational psychosocial stressors and resources affecting immigrant and non-immigrant homecare nurses. The cross-sectional survey was conducted in the homecare nursing service sector in Hamburg. Psychosocial distress, depressive symptomatology, generalized anxiety, somatic symptom burdens, homecare-specific qualitative stressors, as well as resources, have been measured using a standardized questionnaire. There was no significant difference in the extent of psychosocial distress experienced by immigrant and non-immigrant homecare nurses. Somatic symptom burdens most strongly predicted nurses’ psychosocial distress, in general. For immigrant nurses, greater influence and freedom at work, as well as fixed-term employment, was related to increased levels of distress, while age, working full time, and working overtime predicted distress in non-immigrant nurses. A functioning relationship with colleagues and superiors had a declining effect on immigrant nurses’ psychosocial distress, while shift work arrangements benefitted non-immigrant nurses. Even though the extent of psychosocial distress experienced by immigrant and non-immigrant nurses did not significantly differ, the nurse’s individual explanatory model of psychosocial health should be considered in every occupational and political context.