Testing the Stress-Response Sequence in Pediatric Oncology Nursing

This article summarizes six studies completed at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital on role-related stress experienced by pediatric oncology nurses. Two models, the Environmental Care model and the Stress-Response Sequence (SRS) model, provided the theoretical guidance for these studies. The studies included initial efforts to identify and define role-related stressors, reactions, and consequences; to develop a psychometrically sound instrument to measure role-related stressors; and to test portions of the SRS model. Subsequent studies included a complete testing of the SRS model, an exploratory effort to define role-related meaning, and a testing of the revised SRS model. Findings to date indicate that pediatric oncology nurses experience moderate to high role-related stressors but report notably positive consequences, including high job satisfaction and group cohesion and low intent to leave the setting or the specialty. High levels of role-related meaning seem to sustain the commitment of pediatric oncology nurses in their efforts to deal with role-related stressors. The current study will help to determine if the revised SRS model adequately explains the role-related stress response of pediatric oncology nurses. If it does, the revised model will be used to develop and test interventions designed to increase role-related meaning and effective coping reactions.