Exploring Stressors and Coping Strategies of Young Care Workers in Long-Term Care: A Qualitative Study Using the CHEERS Framework.

AIMS: To explore the psychological stressors and coping strategies of young care workers aged 30 years or younger across diverse care settings.

DESIGN

This qualitative study was conducted using data collected through focus group interviews to investigate stress experiences and coping responses.

METHODS

Four focus group interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of 16 young care workers. Data were analysed using grounded theory methods involving open, axial and selective coding.

RESULTS

Young care workers encounter psychological stressors from boundary violations, including physical acts like client violence and emotional pressures from excessive demands, which impair their well-being and caregiving effectiveness. A coping framework emerged, comprising six strategies-compassion, help-seeking, empathy, exposure, reflection and sensitivity-structured across three stages: primary coping, secondary coping, and long-term coping to alleviate stress and enhance resilience across varied settings.

CONCLUSION

Findings highlight the significant stressors faced by young care workers and a structured coping framework that supports their resilience and occupational well-being.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: The CHEERS framework may inform training and supervision strategies for young care workers and support nurse educators and long-term care nursing leaders in strengthening workforce retention and care quality.

IMPACT: This study tackled the pervasive stress among young care workers, revealing a framework of coping strategies to mitigate its effects. It impacts care facilities and workers by offering tools to improve resilience and care quality.

REPORTING METHOD: This study adhered to the COREQ criteria.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: Young care workers participated in the focus group interviews and shared their experiences of occupational stress and coping. Immediate member checking was conducted at the end of each focus group to allow participants to clarify or confirm the researchers' summary of the discussion. Participants were not involved in manuscript preparation.