Antecedents and Outcomes of Workplace Loneliness in Finnish Nurses: A Cross‐Sectional Survey Study

ABSTRACT

Aim

This study provides up-to-date knowledge on the correlates of workplace loneliness among Finnish nurses in the post-COVID-19 era. We examined the factors (background, work-related and dispositional) that were associated with loneliness among nurses. We also investigated the relationship between loneliness and job burnout, which was used as a mental health outcome in this study.

Background

Workplace loneliness can be a notable stressor in contemporary working life. However, it has received little attention in nursing since COVID-19. Consequently, the present study focused on the antecedents and outcomes of workplace loneliness in nursing.

Design

Cross-sectional survey design was used.

Method

The dataset (n = 5893) was collected in the spring of 2024 from members of the Finnish Union of Practical Nurses. Analyses were conducted via regression analysis.

Findings

Regarding prevalence, over 20% of the nurses reported workplace loneliness at least occasionally. Psychosocial factors were most strongly related to greater loneliness: lack of co-worker and supervisory support, experiences of being bullied, and workaholism. Moreover, loneliness was also associated with the core symptoms of job burnout.

Conclusion

Loneliness can be experienced in nursing in contemporary working life, and it is likely to be one potential risk factor for nurses' job burnout. Social interventions should be developed and implemented in nursing organisations to tackle workplace loneliness. These interventions should concentrate on providing social support, preventing bullying, and increasing awareness of the ‘dark side’ of workaholism.