Abstract

Introduction: The nursing profession is fundamentally concerned with the provision of care to individuals and the enhancement of community health. The caring behaviors exhibited by nurses communicate significant sentiments of importance, safety, and attentiveness towards patients. It has been observed that employee performance is intricately linked to their emotional well-being and comprehension of their professional responsibilities. A substantial proportion, ranging from 30% to 50%, of nurses globally experience elevated workloads, with approximately 39% of variations in nursing performance attributable to workload factors. Consequently, the cognitive workload encountered by the personnel has the potential to influence the performance outcomes of nurses.

Aim: Considering the findings from existing research that underscores the relevance of mental workload and its impact on caring behaviors, as well as the diverse outcomes associated with these behaviors, this study was instituted to investigate the correlation between mental workload and the caring behaviors of nurses within the educational and therapeutic centers affiliated with Urmia University of Medical Sciences in 2024.

Material & Methods: This cross-sectional study encompassed a cohort of 340 nurses affiliated with educational and therapeutic centers associated with Urmia University of Medical Sciences, selected through a convenience sampling methodology. The research instruments utilized consisted of three questionnaires: a demographic information questionnaire, the NASA-Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) questionnaire, and the abbreviated version of the Care Behavior Inventory (CBI). Statistical analyses were conducted utilizing SPSS version 26, incorporating measures of central tendency, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and the independent samples t-test.

Results: The results of the study indicate that a substantial proportion of female nurses (70.9%) possessed bachelor's degrees (92.6%) and were formally employed (39.1%). The mean total score derived from the nurse workload questionnaire was 75.49 ± 14.70. According to the findings of this study, 82.1% of the nursing population indicated experiencing a high workload. Discouragement exhibited a significant association with various dimensions of mental workload; however, it did not correlate with the dimensions of performance and effort. Nurses fulfill their professional responsibilities with diligence. In relation to work shifts, the average score for mental workload demonstrated a significant increase during night shifts. The mean score for nurses' care behaviors in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and non-ICU units was 70.19 ± 7.94 and 21.21 ± 7.32, respectively, underscoring the importance of these findings. Utilizing Pearson's correlation test, a significant negative correlation was identified between mental workload and care behaviors.

Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that nurses encounter a substantial mental workload, which suggests that they experience considerable psychological stress. Notwithstanding the challenges and frustrations prevalent in their work environment, nurses maintain their commitment to their professional responsibilities. Furthermore, the mental workload is considerably elevated during the night shift in comparison to other shifts. Intensive Care Unit (ICU) nurses demonstrated significantly higher care behaviors in comparison to their counterparts in other units. The results further reveal that an increase in nurses' mental workload correlates with a decline in the quality of their care behaviors. Consequently, there is a pronounced need for the implementation of support programs and management strategies aimed at alleviating mental workload and enhancing working conditions for nurses.