Abstract
Purpose and Procedure. The purpose of this correlational retrospective study was to examine work factors, nonwork factors and measures of role conflict for female nursing staff possessing varying levels of absence. The instruments used were the Job Diagnostic Survey, Youngblood Time Value Scale, Abbreviated Traditional Family Ideology Scale, and the Overload Scale. Demographic data and perception of family demands were also measured. Six hundred sixty-five randomly selected female nurses employed at a major southwestern teaching hospital were surveyed. Completed questionnaires were returned by 252 subjects. Absence frequency for the prior six months was collected for each respondent. The relationship between the variables was examined by exploratory factor analysis. Eight factors were extracted from the variables. Variables from the factors were regressed against the absence frequency. Results. The regression equation accounted for 24% of the total variance in absenteeism. The sample scored low in task identity and very low in traditional family values. Most had a moderate to high level of emotional overload. The sample showed a high attachment to work time and a high level of growth satisfaction. Conclusions and Recommendations. Both work and nonwork factors contribute to absenteeism in female nursing staff. Role conflict and individual factors did not significantly contribute to the explanation of absenteeism. More nonwork factors explained absenteeism than work factors. The number of dependents and leisure attachment were important nonwork factors in explaining absenteeism. Job title was an important work factor in explaining absenteeism. The strongest correlation with absence was a combination of work and nonwork factors. However, singly or in combination, work or nonwork factors accounted for only a small portion of the influences on absenteeism.
Teasley, Deborah JoAnn (1986). An examination of absenteeism in female nursing staff by measures of work, nonwork and role conflict. Texas A&M University. Texas A&M University. Libraries. Available electronically from
https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /DISSERTATIONS -605121.