Work-related communication mediates the relationship between perceived diversity climate and psychological empowerment among part-time nurses: A cross-sectional study

Aim: This study investigates which work-related communication mediates the relationship between diversity climate and psychological empowerment among part-time nurses. Background: Part-time nurses' high psychological empowerment is desirable because it may lead to high quality nursing practice. Methods: Anonymous self-report questionnaires or web-based surveys were used to measure diversity climate (Climate for Inclusion Scale), psychological empowerment (Japanese version of the Psychological Empowerment Scale) and work-related communication (scale developed in this study). The respondents were part-time nurses from departments with shift work in six Japanese hospitals having over 200 beds. The surveys were conducted from September to October 2020. Multiple regression analyses and a significance test of indirect effects were then conducted. Results: Among the work-related communication components, ‘expressing thoughts about their work’ fully mediated the relationship between diversity climate and psychological empowerment. Conclusions: It is important for part-time nurses to be actively ‘expressing thoughts about their work’ to enhance their psychological empowerment. Positive diversity climate is also important because it allows part-time nurses to express their thoughts regarding work. Implications for Nursing Management: Managers can enhance part-time nurses' psychological empowerment by encouraging them to express their work-related opinions based on the diversity climate.