Direct and indirect relationships between structural empowerment, professional competence, thriving at work and perceived stress symptoms: a cross-sectional correlational study on hospital nurses in a Chinese province

Structural empowerment was related to stress symptoms both directly and indirectly via professional competence and thriving at work. The findings suggest that managers should alleviate nurses' stress symptoms through measures aimed at providing access to empowering structures, strengthening professional competence and promoting thriving at work.