Personal growth among female nurses raising preschool children: a cross-sectional study on the role of work engagement and social support

Abstract

Background: While nurses balancing work and childcare face significant stress, this experience potentially leads to personal growth. However, previous studies on work–life balance have often focused on negative aspects such as an excessive burden of housework and childcare on mothers and the consequent decline in their health, and knowledge about the positive aspects is limited. We aimed to clarify the actual state of personal growth resulting from balancing work and childcare and its correlates among Japanese female nurses raising preschool children. Methods: A web-based, self-administered anonymous survey was conducted with 200 female nurses whose first child was of preschool age. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis and simple slope analysis were performed using the 25-item Japanese version of the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory Extended and basic attributes (age, marital status, educational background, etc.). Results: Data analysis (199 valid responses, 99.50%) revealed that work engagement and social support from family and others influenced personal growth among female nurses caring for preschool children. Furthermore, nurses who perceived strong social support from family and had high work engagement experienced greater personal growth. Conclusions: High work engagement and strong family support play a synergistic role in promoting personal growth. These findings emphasize the importance of not only providing support but also fostering a positive work attitude to help nurses grow during the childcare period. To explore this mechanism in greater depth, it is necessary to examine causal relationships with longitudinal changes and related variables. Trial registration: Not applicable.