The relationship between caring stress management and quality of working life in Iranian nurses: the mediating role of hope

BACKGROUND: Nurses, as central providers of healthcare, face considerable occupational stress that threatens both their well-being and the quality of patient care. This study investigates the relationship between caring stress management and quality of working life (QWL) among Iranian nurses, with a focus on the mediating role of hope. METHODS: Using a cross-sectional design, 300 nurses from two Tehran hospitals completed validated instruments measuring Caring stress management, QWL, and hope. Data were analyzed with SPSS and AMOS, employing structural equation modeling and bootstrapping methods. RESULTS: Structural equation modeling revealed that caring stress management significantly predicted hope (β = 0.65, p < 0.001), and hope significantly predicted quality of working life (β = 0.45, p < 0.001). The direct effect of caring stress management on quality of working life was significant (β = 0.38, p < 0.001), and the indirect effect through hope was also significant (β = 0.29, 95% CI [0.23, 0.36], p < 0.001), confirming hope's partial mediating role. The model demonstrated good fit (χ²/df = 1.95, CFI = 0.96, RMSEA = 0.05). CONCLUSION: Findings highlight that caring stress management is not only directly associated with quality of working life but is also indirectly associated with it through higher levels of hope. These results underscore the importance of implementing caring stress management and hope-promoting strategies to support nurses' psychological resilience, which is linked to better quality of working life and healthcare outcomes. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.

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