The impact of stress on work engagement and workplace creativity of hospital administrators: the mediating role of somatic symptoms and sleep disturbance

Abstract

Abstract Background Occupational stress affects the mental and physical health of hospital employees. Yet, few studies depict the role of physical health issues in the relationship between stress and work engagement/workplace creativity in hospital administrators. Hospital administrators play a critical role in ensuring the smooth operation of hospitals, handling emergencies, and delivering healthcare services. The study investigates the mediating role of somatic symptoms and sleep disturbance on the relationship between stress and work engagement/workplace creativity in hospital administrators. Methods A survey examined the stress, somatic symptoms, sleep conditions, work engagement, and workplace creativity of hospital administrative and logistic personnel of Chinese Grade-A tertiary. A total of 481 valid responses were included. Data analyses used significance analysis, correlation analyses, mediation analyses, and chain mediation analyses. Results Stress is related to work engagement and creativity, and this relationship can be mediated by sleep disturbance and somatic symptoms, respectively. Further, there was a chain mediation model of stress → somatic symptoms →sleep disturbance→ work engagement, but not on workplace creativity. Women, the older population, those affiliated with the clinical departments, and those with senior positions experienced greater stress, sleep disturbance, and somatic symptoms. Conclusion The mechanism underlying the impact of stress on work engagement/workplace creativity of hospital administrators can be stress-induced somatic symptoms and sleep disturbance and thus should not be overlooked. Our findings provide a theoretical basis for the development of targeted interventions for the mental and physical health, as well as the occupational welfare, of hospital administrators during both emergencies and daily situations. A combination of psychological support and physiological intervention was encouraged.