Relationships between working conditions and emotional wellbeing in midwives

Background Emotional distress in midwives contributes to high attrition. To safeguard midwives’ wellbeing, there is a need to identify the impact of workplace variables. Aim To review the existing evidence on the relationships between working conditions and emotional wellbeing in midwives, and construct an analytic framework for understanding these relationships. Methods Systematic search and selection procedures using a range of databases. Results of included studies were synthesised into a thematic literature review of qualitative and quantitative research. Findings Various types of poor emotional wellbeing in midwives correlate with a variety of interrelated working conditions, including low staffing/high workload, low support from colleagues, lack of continuity of carer, challenging clinical situations and low clinical autonomy. Staffing levels seem to be able to modify the effects of many other variables, and the impact of challenging clinical situations is affected by several other variables. Discussion These workplace variables can be categorised as modifiable and non-modifiable risk indicators. Conclusion While certain conditions that correlate with midwives’ wellbeing are non-modifiable, several crucial variables, such as staffing levels and continuity of carer, are within the control of organisational leadership. Future research and interventions should focus on these modifiable risks. Research design should maximise the chance of establishing causation, while any innovations in this area should anticipate the interrelatedness of these risk factors to avoid unintended negative consequences