The Effect of Mental Well-Being and Perceived Social Support on Happiness at Work in Nurses Working in the Pandemic Clinic: Structural Equation Model Analysis of a Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

ABS TRACT Objective: The aim of this study is to propose and test a conceptual model that explains the relationships between the happiness at work (HAW), mental well-being (MWB) and perceived social support levels of nurses working in pandemic clinics in Türkiye. Material and Methods: The data for this cross-sectional study were collected from 276 nurses between March 2021 and March 2022 using the Happiness at Work Scale, the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale, and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Results: MWB and perceived social support from friends, family and significant others have a direct and significant effect on intrinsic motivation for HAW (respectively β =0.428; β =0.238; β =-0.202; β =0.207; p<0.001). In addition, perceived friend support has a direct and significant effect on the supportive organizational experience of HAW ( β =0.242; p<0.001). MWB mediates the relationship between perceived social support from friends and significant others and intrinsic motivation for HAW (respectively β =0.085; β =0.077; p<0.05). Con-clusion: Nurses’ MWB and perceived social support levels affect their HAW. Nurses’ happiness levels at work are positively related to their MWB and perceived social support. Nurse managers should plan re-medial strategies taking into account the proposed model. Interventions are needed at the team, unit, and system levels to enhance nurses’ HAW.