Abstract: (36 Views)
Introduction: Social health, as a key dimension of human health, plays an important role in the quality of life and professional functioning of nurses. Given the increasing number of studies conducted in this field in recent years, a systematic and analytical synthesis of these studies is necessary. This study aimed to synthesize the findings of research on the social health of nurses in Iran over the past decade.
Methods: Using a meta‑synthesis approach, relevant studies published between 2017 and 2023 were analyzed. In the initial search, 160 research articles were identified. After screening and applying the inclusion criteria, 14 studies were selected for the final analysis.
Results: Nurses’ social health was found to be the result of complex interactions among organizational, individual, interpersonal, and cultural factors. Interaction‑oriented dimensions of social health (social cohesion and social participation) were more favorable and were reported more frequently than perceptual and value‑oriented dimensions (social acceptance and social flourishing). Weaknesses in the perceptual and value‑oriented dimensions were associated with workplace conditions, economic pressures, and structural limitations. Managerial support, organizational justice, workload, self‑efficacy, and psychological capital were identified as the most important factors related to nurses’ social health.
Discussion: Interaction‑oriented dimensions of nurses’ social health have received greater attention than perceptual and value‑oriented dimensions. In contrast, social acceptance and social flourishing are influenced by job pressures, structural limitations, and organizational conditions. Improving nurses’ social health requires interventions beyond education and training and highlights the importance of reforming organizational structures, welfare policies, managerial support, and nurses’ participation in health system decision‑making. The proposed integrated framework may serve as a basis for practical planning and human resource health policy development.
Methods: Using a meta‑synthesis approach, relevant studies published between 2017 and 2023 were analyzed. In the initial search, 160 research articles were identified. After screening and applying the inclusion criteria, 14 studies were selected for the final analysis.
Results: Nurses’ social health was found to be the result of complex interactions among organizational, individual, interpersonal, and cultural factors. Interaction‑oriented dimensions of social health (social cohesion and social participation) were more favorable and were reported more frequently than perceptual and value‑oriented dimensions (social acceptance and social flourishing). Weaknesses in the perceptual and value‑oriented dimensions were associated with workplace conditions, economic pressures, and structural limitations. Managerial support, organizational justice, workload, self‑efficacy, and psychological capital were identified as the most important factors related to nurses’ social health.
Discussion: Interaction‑oriented dimensions of nurses’ social health have received greater attention than perceptual and value‑oriented dimensions. In contrast, social acceptance and social flourishing are influenced by job pressures, structural limitations, and organizational conditions. Improving nurses’ social health requires interventions beyond education and training and highlights the importance of reforming organizational structures, welfare policies, managerial support, and nurses’ participation in health system decision‑making. The proposed integrated framework may serve as a basis for practical planning and human resource health policy development.
Type of Study: orginal |
Received: 2025/06/10 | Accepted: 2026/06/29
Received: 2025/06/10 | Accepted: 2026/06/29
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Social Welfare Quarterly
Social Welfare Quarterly, Social Welfare Research Department, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Daneshjoo Blvd, Evin, Tehran, Iran, 19857-13834
Journal Tel: 02171732851
Website: http://refahj.uswr.ac.ir
Email: refahj@uswr.ac.ir
