The influence of empowerment and incivility on the mental health of new graduate nurses

• Published in: Journal of nursing management Vol. 23; no. 5; pp. 632 - 643
• Main Authors: Wing, Travis, Regan, Sandra, Spence Laschinger, Heather K.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01-07-2015; Hindawi Limited
• Subjects: Adult; Bullying; Female; Humans; Interprofessional Relations; Kanter; Male; mental health; new graduate nurses; Nursing; Nursing Staff, Hospital - psychology; Nursing Theory; Ontario; Power (Psychology); Stress, Psychological; structural empowerment; Surveys and Questionnaires; Workplace; workplace incivility; Canada; new graduate nurses; structural empowerment; mental health; workplace incivility; Kanter
• ISSN: 0966-0429; 1365-2834
• DOI: 10.1111/jonm.12190

Aim
To test a model based on Kanter's theory of structural empowerment, which examines the relationships between new graduate nurses' perceptions of structural empowerment, workplace incivility and mental health symptoms.
Background
The initial years of practice can be particularly stressful for new graduate nurses, who may be particularly vulnerable to uncivil behaviour as a result of their status in the work environment. Disempowerment and incivility in the workplace may compound the mental health symptoms experienced by new graduate nurses.
Method
A predictive, non‐experimental design was used to examine the relationship between structural empowerment, workplace incivility and mental health symptoms in a sample of new graduate nurses working in hospital settings in Ontario (n = 394).
Result
High levels of structural empowerment were significantly associated with fewer negative mental health symptoms in new graduates. However, co‐worker incivility and supervisor incivility partially mediated the effect of structural empowerment on new graduate nurses' mental health symptoms.
Conclusion
The findings suggest that empowering workplaces contribute to lower mental health symptoms in new graduate nurses, an effect that is diminished by incivility.
Implications for nursing management
Strategies that foster empowering work conditions and reduce uncivil behaviour are needed to promote positive mental health in new graduate nurses.