Role Conflict and Organizational Cynicism in Critical Care Nurses: Evidence From a Cross-Sectional Study Publisher

Summary: Does workplace conflict fuel nurse cynicism? A survey linked role conflict strongly to cynicism in critical care nurses, especially with multiple jobs. #Nursing #WorkplaceHealth

Karimi Z ; Shali M ; Rostami Varnosfaderani P ; Mottershead R ; Tabatabaei M S
Source: BMC Nursing Published:2026

Abstract

Introduction: Critical care nursing includes physically, emotionally, and ethically challenging jobs which can induce role conflict and organizational cynicism amongst other organizational attitudes. This research aimed to evaluate the association between role conflict and organizational cynicism among critical care nurses. Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited 322 nurses working in intensive care units of hospitals under Tehran University of Medical Sciences who completed Role Conflict Questionnaire by Rizzo et al., and Organizational Cynicism Questionnaire by Dean et al. The data were analyzed through Spearman correlation test and multiple linear regression analysis. Results: The mean age of participants was 36.26 ± 8.61, and 73.6% were women. Role conflict had a mean score of 2.58 ± 0.83 and organizational cynicism of 2.73 ± 0.96, showing moderate level of both variables. A significant positive correlation was found between role conflict and organizational cynicism (r = 0.765, p < 0.01) as well as with its emotional, cognitive, and behavioral components. Multiple job holding and number of workplaces at one time were identified as the main factors for both variables. Conclusion: There exists a high association between role conflict and organizational cynicism among critical care nurses. Clinical trial number: Not applicable © The Author(s) 2026.