Investigating the Relationship between General Health and Emotional Labor among Nurses in Public and Private Hospitals

Introduction: Emotional labor is known as one of the important components of work environments in which employees must use various strategies to manage and control emotions in interaction with clients. One of the important components affecting emotional labor is the general health of employees. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between general health and emotional labor among nurses in public and private hospitals of the country. Methods: The study data were collected through a cross-sectional survey method. The research population was 480 nurses from private and public hospitals of the whole country, who were selected by non-random sampling method. The analysis of research findings was done using SPSS 22 software using bivariate and multivariate statistical tests. Results: The results showed that the independent research variables, including insomnia, being under pressure, feeling of discomfort and depression, happiness and optimism, had a significant effect on the dependent variable. The variable of feeling of discomfort and depression with beta 0/178 and significance level of 0/002 had the greatest effect on the emotional labor variable. The results of the regression analysis showed that the independent variables explained 17% of the variance of the dependent variable. Conclusion: Improving and promoting the general health of nurses increases their skills in emotional labor, which helps them in forming successful human relationships and creating effective therapeutic relationships with patients. In this regard, it is suggested to take the necessary measures to maintain and improve the general health of nurses, such as regular examinations and consultations and holding numerous meetings to increase morale and work motivation and strengthen intellectual and value beliefs, using fun sports, cultural, and religious programs along with granting special financial and non-financial privileges.