Work-related Challenges in Psychiatric-psychosomatic Clinics (HIPP)

Healthcare Professionals in German Psychiatric-psychosomatic Clinical Practice: Theory Guided Evaluation of Work-related Challenges.

The aim of this project is to evaluate the work-related challenges faced by healthcare professionals (nurses, psychologists, and doctors) in German psychiatric-psychosomatic clinics. By applying the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model, this study investigates how job demands and resources influence job satisfaction, turnover intention, and subjective service quality. Special focus is given to the roles of burnout, engagement, and psychological safety as mediators and moderators in these relationships. Through a cross-sectional online survey targeting 600 healthcare professionals, this study aims to identify key factors affecting well-being and performance in mental health settings. The findings will contribute to the development of interventions to improve the working conditions and service quality in psychiatric-psychosomatic care.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Burnout; Work Engagement; Job Satisfaction; Service Quality; Turnoverintention

Detailed Description

This study uses an online questionnaire to collect data from healthcare professionals (nurses, psychologists, and doctors) working in psychiatric-psychosomatic clinics in Germany. The survey aims to assess their experiences and perceptions regarding work-related challenges, job demands, and resources, as well as their impact on job satisfaction, turnover intention, and subjective service quality. The study applies the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model to explore the relationships between these factors, with a particular focus on the mediating roles of burnout and engagement and the moderating role of psychological safety.

The survey will be conducted at a single time point, targeting 600 healthcare professionals (200 nurses, 200 psychologists, and 200 doctors) across various psychiatric-psychosomatic clinics in Germany. Data will be collected using standardized scales to ensure reliability and validity. Participants will be recruited via email invitations sent to clinics, with the survey distributed through the SoSci Survey platform. Participation is voluntary, and all data will be anonymized and handled in compliance with ethical and data protection regulations.

Main Research Questions are:

I. How do the surveyed resources and demands of healthcare professionals impact job satisfaction, turnover intention and subjective service quality? II. What roles do burnout, engagement, and psychological safety play as mediators and moderators in these relationships? III. What are the key challenges and resources identified by healthcare professionals in their daily work within psychiatric-psychosomatic settings?

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Estimated): 600

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Katharina Schiffer, M.Sc.; Phone Number: +49 421 200 3962; Email: kschiffer@constructor.university
• Study Contact Backup: Name: Sonia Lippke, PhD; Phone Number: 00494212004730; Email: slippke@constructor.university

Study Locations

• Germany
  • City state Bremen
    • Bremen, City state Bremen, Germany, 28759
      • Recruiting
      • Constructor University Bremen and online
    • Bremen, City state Bremen, Germany, 28759
      • Not yet recruiting
      • Constructor University
      • Contact: Katharina Schiffer, M.Sc.; Phone Number: +49 421 200 3962; Email: kschiffer@constructor.university
      • Principal Investigator: Sonia Lippke, Prof. Dr.

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Healthcare professionals (nurses, psychologists, and doctors) working in German psychiatric-psychosomatic clinics

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Healthcare professionals (nurses, psychologists, or doctors) working in psychiatric-psychosomatic clinics in Germany
• Age 18 years or older
• Sufficient German language proficiency to complete the questionnaire
• Willingness to provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Individuals not working as nurses, psychologists, or doctors in psychiatric-psychosomatic clinics
• Age under 18 years
• Insufficient German language proficiency to complete the questionnaire
• Massively limited cognitive abilities

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

3

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Nurses
Psychologists
Doctors (Psychiatrists)

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Job Satisfaction	The 'Arbeitszufriedenheit Skala' (Job Satisfaction Scale) from the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ) by Nübling et al. (2010) assesses job satisfaction among healthcare professionals in psychiatric-psychosomatic clinics. This scale captures various dimensions of job satisfaction, including satisfaction with career prospects, colleagues, physical working conditions, management, utilization of skills, salary, and overall job satisfaction. Responses are measured on a 5-point Likert scale, ranging from 1 (Very satisfied) to 5 (Very dissatisfied). Higher scores indicate lower job satisfaction, while lower scores reflect higher job satisfaction.	Baseline
Emotional Exhaustion	The 'Emotionale Erschöpfung Skala' (Emotional Exhaustion Scale) from the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ) by Nübling et al. (2010) assesses emotional exhaustion among healthcare professionals in psychiatric-psychosomatic clinics. This scale captures participants' experiences of exhaustion and feelings of being emotionally drained due to work. Responses are measured on a 5-point frequency scale, ranging from 1 (Always) to 5 (Never/Almost never). Lower scores indicate greater emotional exhaustion, while higher scores reflect lower levels of exhaustion.	Baseline
Engagement	The 'Engagement Skala' from the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ) by Nübling et al. (2010) assesses work engagement among healthcare professionals in psychiatric-psychosomatic clinics. They collect data on participants' levels of energy, enthusiasm, and absorption in their work. Responses are measured on a 5-point frequency scale ranging from 1 (Always) to 5 (Never/Almost never). Lower scores indicate grater engagement, while higher scores reflect lower levels of engagement.	Baseline

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Turnover Intention	The 'Gedanke an Beruf-/Stellenwechsel Skala' (Turnover Intention Scale) from the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ) by Nübling et al. (2010) assesses turnover intention among healthcare professionals in psychiatric-psychosomatic clinics. They collect data on participants' thoughts about leaving their profession or their current job over the past 12 months. Responses are measured on a 5-point frequency scale ranging from 1 (Never) to 5 (Every day). Lower scores indicate a lower desire to leave the job, while higher scores reflect greater desire to leave.	in the last 12 Months
Subjective Service Quality	The 'Service Quality Scale' by Rafferty et al. (2001) assesses subjective service quality among healthcare professionals in psychiatric-psychosomatic clinics. They collect data on participants' perceptions of the quality of care provided on their unit, including reliability, consistency, and alignment with expectations. Responses are measured on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (Strongly disagree) to 5 (Strongly agree). Lower scores indicate a subjective lower service quality, while higher scores reflect higher subjective service quality.	Baseline

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Jacobs University Bremen gGmbH
• Investigators: Study Director: Sonia Lippke, Prof. Dr., Constructor University Bremen gGmbH & Bremen International Graduate School of Social Sciences, Germany

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): March 10, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2025
• Study Completion (Estimated): September 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: February 26, 2025
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 4, 2025
• First Posted (Actual): March 10, 2025

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimated): September 4, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 28, 2025
• Last Verified: August 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Patient Safety; Health Care Providers; Occupational well-being
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Behavioral Symptoms; Stress, Psychological; Behavior; Burnout, Psychological
• Other Study ID Numbers: HIPP_27112024

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No