The effort-reward imbalance model as predictor of Portuguese nurses’ stress responses and sexual health

Abstract

This study examines the Effort-Reward Imbalance model (ERI) variables as predictors of stress responses, sexual desire and sexual satisfaction among Portuguese nurses. Participants were 310 female hospital nurses (Age: M=33.83; SD=8.70). Measures included the Effort Reward Imbalance Inventory, to assess effort, reward, ERI-ratio and overcommitment; the General Health Questionnaire-12 and the Brief Personal Survey-Revised, to measure stress responses; the Hulbert Index of Sexual Desire and the Index of Sexual Satisfaction, to evaluate sexual health. Results showed that the ERI variables are independent predictors of nurses’ stress responses (pressure, psychological distress). The percentage of explained variance ranged from 2.3% to 24.6%. ERI variables also predicted nurses’ sexual desire and sexual satisfaction. Overcommitment moderated the impact of occupational stress on stress responses (pressure overload) and sexual heath (sexual desire). The relevance of ERI variables for understanding the relationship between occupational and sexual health outcomes, is also discussed.