J Gerontol Nurs. 2025 Sep 15:1-6. doi: 10.3928/00989134-20250905-02. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To investigate modifiable environmental work factors impacting long-term care (LTC) workers’ mood symptoms. This is a first step in creating interventions that can improve mood symptoms and reduce turnover.

METHOD: This descriptive study used baseline data from a trial within six worksites (N = 112). Through self-reported surveys, mood symptoms were analyzed using the 21-item version of the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale, and environmental factors, such as job demands, decision authority, job duties, social support, and organizational justice, were measured using the Job Strain Model tool.

RESULTS: After controlling for age, organizational justice (β = 0.361, p ≤ 0.001) significantly influenced mood symptoms and explained 15% of the variance in mood symptoms.

CONCLUSION: Organizational justice may reduce mood symptoms in LTC staff. These findings offer managers and researchers insights for potential interventions with this population.

PMID:40953375 | DOI:10.3928/00989134-20250905-02