The Effects of Workplace Discrimination on Job Stress and Depression Among Nurses: A Test of Mediation

Abstract

The present study was intended to examine the effect of discrimination on the development of job stress and depression, and the mediating role of job stress between workplace discrimination and depression among nurses in hospitals in Iran. The sample comprised 166 nurses holding a bachelor’s degree or higher and working in hospitals located in the districts of 5 and 17 of Tehran, the capital city of Iran, which are usually inhabited by economically middle- and low-income people respectively. A random sampling technique was employed based on a cross-sectional design. This study revealed that workplace discrimination was positively correlated with job stress (β = .178, p = .000) and depression (β = .142, p = .002). Job stress was positively correlated with depression (β = .253 and p = .000). The study analysis revealed that job stress partially mediated the relationship between workplace discrimination and depression among nursing professionals. The study suggests that workplace discrimination can be considered a predictor of negative health outcomes and nurses may be vulnerable to job stress, resulting in depression.