Factors associated with recognition at work among nurses and the impact of recognition at work on health-related quality of life, job satisfaction and psychological health: a single-centre, cross-sectional study in Morocco

OBJECTIVES: To describe the sociodemographic, occupational and health factors that influence nurses’ recognition at work and to examine a recognition pathway model to assess the relationship between recognition at work and health-related quality of life (HRQOL), job satisfaction, anxiety and depression. DESIGN: This is a cross-sectional observational study with prospective data collection based on a self-report questionnaire. SETTING: University hospital centre in Morocco. PARTICIPANTS: The study included 223 nurses with at least 1 year of practice at the bedside in care units. MEASURES: We included the sociodemographic, occupational and health characteristics of each participant. The Fall Amar instrument was used to measure job recognition. HRQOL was measured using the Medical Outcome Study Short Form 12. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale was used to assess anxiety and depression. Job satisfaction was measured using a rating scale (ranging from 0 to 10). Path analysis was used to examine the nurse recognition pathway model to assess the relationship between nurse recognition at work and key variables. RESULTS: The participation rate in this study was 79.3%. Institutional recognition was significantly correlated with gender, midwifery specialty and normal work schedule: β=−5.10 (−8.06, −2.14), β=−5.13 (−8.66, −1.60) and β=−4.28 (−6.85, −1.71), respectively. Significant correlations were found between recognition from superiors and gender, mental health specialisation and normal work schedule: β=−5.71 (−9.39, −2.03), β=−5.96 (−11.17, −0.75) and β=−4.04(−7.23, −0.85), respectively. Recognition from coworkers was significantly associated with mental health specialisation: β=−5.09 (−9.16, −1.01). The trajectory analysis model found that supervisor recognition had the best impact on anxiety, job satisfaction and HRQOL. CONCLUSIONS: Recognition from superiors is important in maintaining nurses’ psychological health, HRQOL and job satisfaction. Therefore, managers in hospitals should address the issue of recognition at work as a potential personal, professional and organisational lever.