Gender Difference in Emotional Labour among Nurses in Osun State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the differences in the performance of emotional labour (deep acting and surface acting) among male and female nurses in Osun State, Nigeria. A total of one hundred and sixty six respondents participated in the study. The participants were randomly selected from Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex, Ile-Ife and Osun State General Hospital, Osogbo both in Osun State, Nigeria. A standardized scale, Emotional Labour Scale (ELS), was used for data collection. Data collected were analysed using the independent sample t-test. Results showed a statistically significant difference in the performance of emotional labour among nurses in Osun state {t (164) = 2.020, p<0. 05}. Male nurses were found to display higher levels of emotional labour (N=72, x̄ =66.14, SD=7.40) than those of their female counterparts (N=94,  x̄ =63.51, SD=9.36). It further showed that there was a significant difference in the experience of surface acting among male and female {t (164) = 2.57, p<0. 05}. Male nurses reported higher mean (N=72, x̄ =34.47, SD=4.95) of surface acting than the female nurses (N=94, x̄ =32.32, SD=5.84). This result indicates that male nurses are more likely to regulate theiremotions through surface acting than  female nurses. However, there was no statistical significant difference in the experience of deep acting among male and female nurses. The study concluded that a significant gender difference in the performance of emotional labour among nurses in Osun state. Male nurses engage more in surface acting than the female nurses.

Keywords: Gender, Emotional Labour, Nurses, Deep Acting and Surface Acting