The impact of team psychological safety, occupational coping efficacy, and job satisfaction on the job performance of operating room nurses

An empirical study based on structural equation modeling

Bibliographic Data

ID22433405
AuthorsLili Liu (0009-0007-0747-6895, Xiaolan Clinical Institute of Shantou University Medical College), L D Liu (0009-0007-2601-4557, Shantou University), Qiuyan Zhang (0000-0003-1755-3456, Shantou University), Lihua Yu (0009-0005-2751-5594, Shantou University), Bili Wang (Shantou University), Cui Chen (0000-0001-9780-9452, Xiaolan Clinical Institute of Shantou University Medical College), C X R CHEN (Shantou University), Ruiyu Li (0000-0001-6704-089X, Shantou University), Feng Cai (0000-0002-1521-7355, Xiaolan Clinical Institute of Shantou University Medical College), C J Feng (Shantou University, corresponding author)
Year2026
Volume14
Publication date2026-07-16
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565
PublisherFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpubh.2026.1823932
OpenAlexW7169227540
LanguageEN
References cited50

Background The quality and efficiency of operating room nurses' work are directly related to patient safety, surgical success rates, and the overall medical quality of the hospital. In the context of a global shortage of nursing human resources, enhancing the job performance of operating room nurses is critically important. Team psychological safety, occupational coping efficacy, and job satisfaction are important factors affecting the job performance of operating room nurses. However, limited research has examined the interrelationships among these factors specifically within this specialized group. This study aims to explore the impact of team psychological safety on the job performance of operating room nurses, with a particular focus on the potential mediating roles of occupational coping efficacy and job satisfaction. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among operating room nurses from six general hospitals in southern China. A total of 308 questionnaires were distributed, and 303 valid responses were included in the final analysis (response rate: 98.38%). Data were collected using the Team Psychological Safety Climate Scale, Occupational Coping Self-Efficacy Scale, Job Satisfaction Scale, and Nurse Job Performance Scale. Descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation analyses were performed using SPSS 26.0, and structural equation modeling (SEM) was conducted using AMOS 25.0. Mediation effects were tested using the Bootstrap method. Results Operating room nurses reported a high level of job performance (mean = 4.12, SD = 0.49). Team psychological safety was positively associated with occupational coping self-efficacy, job satisfaction, and job performance ( r = 0.222–0.339, all P < 0.01). The structural equation model showed a good fit (χ 2 /df = 1.175, CFI = 0.989, RMSEA = 0.024). Team psychological safety significantly predicted job performance (β = 0.226, P < 0.01), with occupational coping self-efficacy and job satisfaction forming a significant serial mediation pathway (β = 0.247, P < 0.01). Conclusion Team psychological safety significantly enhances the job performance of operating room nurses, both directly and indirectly through occupational coping self-efficacy and job satisfaction. These findings suggest that improving the psychological safety climate within teams may be an effective strategy to boost nursing performance in high-stakes clinical environments.

Empirical research · Job attitude · Job design · Job performance · Job satisfaction · Occupational stress · Personnel psychology · Structural equation modeling · Healthcare professionals’ stress and burnout · Nursing education and management · Patient Safety and Medication Errors

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