Impact of job crafting and work engagement on the mental and physical health of palliative care nurses

Background: The concept of job crafting and work engagement, which encompasses the proactive modifications that employees make to their tasks, relationships, perceptions, and level of involvement in their work, has been demonstrated to exert a significant influence on both mental and physical health. For nurses working in palliative care, the implementation of such modifications and active engagement in their roles could serve to mitigate the demanding nature of their work and improve their overall well-being. Nevertheless, there is a paucity of research examining the combined impact of job crafting and work engagement on the health outcomes of palliative care nurses. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between job crafting, work engagement, and the mental and physical health outcomes of palliative care nurses in an oncology setting. Methods: A cross-sectional design was used to examine the relationships between job crafting (independent variable), work engagement (mediating variable), and health outcomes (dependent variables: physical and mental health). Mediation analysis was conducted to explore the role of work engagement in the relationship between job crafting and health outcomes. The study was conducted in the oncology department of Zagazig General Hospital in Egypt, with a stratified random sample of 100 registered nurses who had at least six months of experience in palliative care. Data were collected using the Job Crafting Scale (JCS), Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES), the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales (DASS-21), and the Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36). Results: The study revealed a positive correlation between job crafting behaviours and physical health (r = 0.52, p < 0.001) and a negative correlation between job crafting behaviors and mental health distress (r = -0.56, p < 0.001). The structural equation modeling (SEM) results demonstrated significant paths from job crafting to both physical health (β = 0.40) and mental health distress (β = -0.45), indicating that job crafting positively affects physical health and negatively affects mental health distress. Mediation analysis revealed that work engagement significantly mediated the relationship between job crafting and health outcomes. Specifically, higher work engagement positively influenced health outcomes, while the negative effects of job crafting on mental health distress were lessened. Conclusion: Job crafting positively impacts the physical and mental well-being of palliative care nurses by fostering greater work engagement. This engagement mediates the relationship between job crafting and health outcomes, enabling nurses to better cope with occupational stressors. By adapting their work environment to suit their strengths and preferences, nurses experience improved health and job satisfaction. As a result, higher work engagement not only enhances nurse well-being but also contributes to better patient care, as engaged nurses are more capable of providing compassionate, effective care. Clinical trial: No clinical trial.