Ethnicity and work-related stress in Eastern European care workers for the elderly: an application of a proposed multi-dimensional model

The present study aims to test the application of a multidimensional model of stress that takes as a framework of reference the DRIVE (Demands, Resources, and Individual Effects) model and previous studies on occupational health and cultural aspects in a sample of Eastern European eldercare workers. This model integrated ethnicity and work-related stress dimensions in a transactional perspective combining individual differences, ethnicity aspects, work characteristics in the prediction of psychophysical health giving closer attention to specific associations between cultural dimensions such as cultural identity, acculturation strategies and health outcomes. Therefore the study hypothesized significant profiles of associations between individual differences, work characteristics, ethnicity dimensions, perceived job satisfaction/stress and health outcomes among these workers. A questionnaire measuring the following dimensions was submitted to 250 Eastern European eldercare workers in Southern Italy: coping strategies, personality behaviours, acculturation strategies, perceived work demands, resources/ rewards, perceived job stress/satisfaction, psychological disorders and general health. Around one third (38.6%) lived in Italy from more than 5 years, all were women (Age Mean=43.18; SD=4.25) and most of them were married (94.8 %), with a high level of education (94.4 %), worked full-time (93.2 %) and had fixed contracts (97.2 %). Data were analysed using LR logistic regression to evaluate the effects of all the dimensions reported on the risk of suffering health problems. Results showed that work demands, type A and negative affectivity behavioural patterns significantly associated with high levels of anxious-depressive disorders, relational disorders and general health. Moreover positive coping strategies, specific acculturation strategies and perceived job satisfaction significantly associated with low levels of psychophysical disorders. Findings supported different aspects of the proposed stress model and will be helpful in defining psychological interventions to support this particular type of migrant workers