Factors Associated with Nurses’ Motivation to Provide Care for Patients with Alcohol Use and Alcohol Use-Related Problems

Background: There is a high human and economic cost associated with alcohol use and alcohol use-related problems. Nurses have a pivotal role in addressing the needs of this patient population. Purpose: The study aimed to examine the correlation between nurses’ demographics/background characteristics, personal attitudes, professional attitudes, and their motivation to provide care to patients with alcohol use and alcohol use-related problems. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional correlational design was utilized. Nurses were recruited from four Southwestern Pennsylvania hospitals. The study variables were examined using questionnaires that explored nurses’ demographic/background characteristics, their personal and professional attitudes, and motivation to care for patients with alcohol use and alcohol use-related problems. Results: The sample included 234 nurses. Demographic/background characteristics were identified as associated with nurse’s alcohol use-related motivation, including gender, primary work setting and specialization. Previous personal experience with alcohol use-related problems (nurses themselves or co-workers), familiarity, perceived dangerousness, fear, social distance, personal responsibility beliefs and disease model were also associated with nurses’ alcohol use-related motivation to care for these patients. In addition, all professional attitudes were associated with nurses’ motivation toward caring for patients with alcohol use and alcohol use-related problems. Conclusions: The study revealed that certain demographic/background characteristics and personal and professional attitudes were associated with nurses’ motivation to provide care to this patient population. This study provides the foundation for future studies aimed at exploring predictors of nurse’s motivation to care for patients with alcohol use and alcohol use-related problems.