The influence of supportive work environment on work-related stress and conflict management style among emergency care nurses: A descriptive correlational study

Abstract
Background: Stress and conflict in emergency departments are inevitable but can be
managed. A supportive work environment is key to helping emergency care providers,
especially nurses, constructively manage work-related stress and conflict.
Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the influence of supportive work environments on work-related stress and conflict management style among emergency care
nurses.
Methods: A descriptive correlational research design was utilized. Data were collected
from 221 staff nurses recruited from two university hospital emergency departments
in Alexandria, Egypt. Three instruments were used: (1) perceived organizational support scale, (2) nurses' occupational stressors scale, and (3) conflict management style
inventory.
Results: There was a highly significant correlation between supportive work environments and work-related stress (p = .000) and a significant correlation between supportive work environments and conflict management style (p = .026). Supportive work
environments had a significant inverse negative relationship with work-related stress
experienced by nurses (p = .001) and accounted for 51% of variance in work-related
stress. Meanwhile, supportive work environments had a significant positive relationship with conflict management styles of nurses (p = .026). Work-related stress had
a significant relationship with nurses' conflict management style (p = .000) and accounted for 45% of the variance in conflict management style.
Linking Evidence to Action: The style of conflict management modeled by staff within
emergency departments can positively or negatively influence the work environment
and level of work-related stress. There is a necessity to cultivate a supportive culture
for nurses in emergency departments to develop skills for constructive conflict management styles to reduce work-related stress.