Decent work and nurses' work ability: A cross-sectional study of the mediating effects of perceived insider status and psychological well-being

Abstract

Background

While the benefits of decent work—employment that respects fundamental human rights, ensures fair income, guarantees workplace security, and provides social protection for families—have recently gained scholarly attention regarding job satisfaction, psychological empowerment, and work engagement, its potential to enhance nurses' work ability—defined as the ability to carry out job responsibilities—remains unaddressed. Furthermore, a gap exists in understanding the mechanisms through which decent work influences its outcomes.

Purpose

We aimed to investigate: (1) if securing decent work is associated with elevated nurses' work ability, and (2) if perceived insider status and psychological well-being mediate the association between decent work and nurses' work ability.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted across four public hospitals in two regions of Egypt, utilizing a self-reported survey with validated instruments, including the Decent Work Scale, Perceived Insider Status Scale, Psychological Well-being Scale, and Work Ability–Personal Radar Scale. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation analyses, and structural equation modeling.

Results

A total of 204 nurses were involved in this study. Decent work was positively associated with nurses' work ability, and this association was fully mediated by perceived insider status and psychological well-being.

Conclusions

Cultivating decent work conditions might enable healthcare administrators to enhance nurses' sense of insider status and psychological well-being, thereby potentially boosting their work ability.