Investigation into effects of work-related quality of life and some related factors on cognitive failures among nurses

OBJECTIVE: Cognitive failure is one of the factors which can be influenced by personal and professional characteristics. This research was carried out to study the effect of work-related quality of life (WRQoL) and some related factors on cognitive failures (CF) among nurses. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted among nurses working in intensive care units, critical care units and emergency units in 2014. RESULTS: In total, 750 nurses participated in the study. The mean ± SD for the total CF and WRQoL was 40.5 ± 12.7 and 75.8 ± 13.7 respectively. The results show that CF have a statistically significant difference among the age groups, experience groups and working units. Multiple regression tests show that age, income and WRQoL have a significant effect on CF. Based on the results, for a unit increase in WRQoL we expect a 0.26 unit decrease in CF. Analysis of variance results show that the emergency ward had changed the overall effect of WRQoL on CF, after the effect of WRQoL was controlled. CONCLUSIONS: Overall results from the present research indicated that, despite the high level of WRQoL among the studied nurses, the rate of CF was not at an appropriate level. Development of supportive and interventional strategies is highly recommended.