The effort-reward imbalance model as predictor of Portuguese nurses’ stress responses and sexual health

This study examines the Effort-Reward Imbalance model (ERI) variables as predictors of stress responses, sexual desire and sexual satisfaction among Portuguese nurses. Participants
were 310 female hospital nurses (Age: M=33.83; SD=8.70). Measures included the Effort
Reward Imbalance Inventory, to assess effort, reward, ERI-ratio and overcommitment; the
General Health Questionnaire-12 and the Brief Personal Survey-Revised, to measure stress
responses; the Hulbert Index of Sexual Desire and the Index of Sexual Satisfaction, to evaluate
sexual health. Results showed that the ERI variables are independent predictors of nurses’
stress responses (pressure, psychological distress). The percentage of explained variance
ranged from 2.3% to 24.6%. ERI variables also predicted nurses’ sexual desire and sexual
satisfaction. Overcommitment moderated the impact of occupational stress on stress responses
(pressure overload) and sexual heath (sexual desire). The relevance of ERI variables for
understanding the relationship between occupational and sexual health outcomes, is also discussed.
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT)