The objectives of this research were: (a) to identify the major stressors and the coping strategies commonly used by health professionals; (b) to explore the links among health care stressors, subjective wellbeing and job satisfaction; and (c) to individualize the explanatory variables of care job satisfaction. Empirical verification was conducted with a sample of 196 Argentinean professionals (97 doctors and 99 nurses). The sample answered a battery developed for assessing stress, coping, wellbeing, and work satisfaction. Data were subjected to descriptive, correlation, and multiple regression analysis. The results indicated that work overload, lack of support, and perceptions of organizational injustice are the main health care stressors. The employment of problem-solving and distancing coping emerged as the best strategies for enhancing job satisfaction and wellbeing. The perception of familiar support, more working hours, and the intention to stay were the variables that proved to be the best predictors of work satisfaction. Suggestions are made for future research in the area.
job stress; coping; job satisfaction; wellbeing; doctors; nurses
