Interpersonal trauma in the lives of nurses and perceptions of nursing work

Kristen R. Choi, University of California, Los Angeles
Kathryn Hughesdon, Eastern Michigan University
Laura Britton, Columbia University
Laura Sinko, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Christine Wells, University of California, Los Angeles
Nicholas Giodano, Emory University
Linda Sarna, University of California, Los Angeles
MarySue V. Heilmann, University of California, Los Angeles

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore associations between trauma experiences among nurses and nursing perceptions of risk for involuntary job loss and standing in society. This observational study used 2001 data from the Nurses’ Health Study II ( N = 53,323 female nurses). The outcome variables were nurses’ perceptions of their risk for involuntary job loss and their social standing in the United States and within their own community. The exposure variables were childhood and adulthood interpersonal trauma. Nurses reported high levels of emotional (60% childhood; 44% adulthood), physical (45% childhood, 23% adulthood), and sexual trauma (15% childhood, 11% adulthood). Emotional trauma was associated with perception of higher risk for involuntary job loss, but also higher perception of nurse societal standing. Nurses experience high rates of interpersonal trauma, which may influence how they perceive their profession.