Perfectionism, rumination, and job stress among operating room nurses in Tehran, Iran: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND

Owing to its association with a range of adverse psychological outcomes, including rumination and job stress, perfectionism can affect the performance of operating room nurses, thereby impacting the quality of care, service delivery, and patient safety. This study aimed to investigate the level of perfectionism and its relationship with rumination and job stress in operating room nurses.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted between June 2024 and July 2025 on 202 operating room nurses working in selected hospitals (three randomly selected government hospitals) in Tehran. A multistage sampling method was employed. Data were collected using the Ahvaz Perfectionism, Hoeksema Rumination, and Hellriegel and Slocum Job Stress questionnaires. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and linear regression analysis. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

RESULTS

The mean scores indicated moderate to high levels of perfectionism (52.27 ± 12.24), moderate rumination (47.52 ± 12.34), and high job stress (52.92 ± 17.49). Perfectionism was significantly and positively correlated with both rumination (r = 0.474, p < 0.001) and job stress (r = 0.445, p < 0.001). Linear regression analysis showed that rumination (β = 0.328, p < 0.001), job stress (β = 0.183, p < 0.001), bachelor's education (β = 8.397, p < 0.001), and permanent employment (β = 3.197, p = 0.030) were significantly positively associated with perfectionism. The predictors jointly accounted for 33.6% of the variance in perfectionism (R² = 0.336, adjusted R² = 0.319).

CONCLUSION

Rumination and job stress are significantly associated with perfectionism among OR nurses, and higher education and permanent employment further is associated with elevated perfectionism levels. Therefore, measures to improve and promote the mental health of operating room nurses in the field of perfectionism correction are recommended.

CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.