Association of Lifestyle and Quality of Life Among Critical Care Nurses: A Cross-sectional Study

Background: Quality of life is an important concept that is related to working conditions and lifestyle behaviors of a person. Poor quality of life in critical care nurses can reduce the quality of care.  Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between lifestyle and quality of life in critical care nurses. Materials & Methods: This multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted on ۳۶۰ nurses working in critical care units of hospitals affiliated to Iran University of Medical Sciences. Demographic characteristics form, World Health Organization (WHO) quality of life questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF) and Miller-Smith lifestyle inventory were used to collect data.  Results: The mean age of nurses was ۳۸.۶۵±۹.۸۹. In the regression analysis, the lifestyle score has an inverse significant relationship with the score of physical health, psychological health, social relationships and environment subscales (B=-۰.۱۶۶, B=-۰.۲۳۳, B=-۰.۵۴۰, B=-۰.۰۶۷, respectively). An increase in the number of night shifts was associated with a decrease in quality of life (P<۰.۰۰۱). Nurses working in the hemodialysis unit experienced a higher quality of life in the subscales of physical health and environment. Also, the score of quality of life in married nurses was higher in psychological and social relationships subscales compared to single nurses. Conclusion: The quality of life of nurses is related to their lifestyle behaviors. Therefore, policy makers and nursing managers should consider the necessary strategies to improve the lifestyle of nurses. Determining the work shift of nurses according to their conditions can reduce the adverse effects of the night shift on the quality of life.

Keywords:

Health-related quality of life , Lifestyle , Health promotion , Critical care nurses