TITLE:
Psychological Need Frustration and Migration Intentions among Healthcare Workers in a Tertiary Hospital in North-Central Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Study
AUTHORS:
Paul E. Agbo, Surajudeen O. Bello, Idris A. Yusuf, Ikrama I. Hassan, Ene F. Agbo, Tajudeen L. Ibrahim, Valentine K. Adikaibe, Salihu O. Mohammed, Lucky L. Changkat, Rita O. Ewuga, James L. Ajige, Adaku C. Ezeala, Christian T. Agba, Lawal B. Mudashiru, Ahmed T. Bako, Innocent E. Okoliko, Augustine D. Abah, Yusuf O. Hussaini
KEYWORDS:
Workplace Frustration, Migration Intention, Healthcare Professionals, Nigeria, Psychological Needs, Brain Drain
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.13 No.4,
April
10,
2026
ABSTRACT: Background: Migration of healthcare professionals from low- and middle-income countries poses major challenges to health system performance. Workplace frustration, arising from structural and psychological constraints, may contribute to migration intention among healthcare workers. This study assessed the prevalence of workplace frustration and its association with migration intention among healthcare workers in a tertiary hospital in North-Central Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among 385 clinical staff selected using proportional allocation and purposive recruitment. Data were collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire, including the Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction and Frustration Scale (BPNSFS). Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, one-way ANOVA, and multivariable logistic regression were used for analysis. Statistical significance was set at p Results: Overall, 280 respondents (72.7%) reported workplace frustration, while 313 (81.3%) expressed migration intention. Mean frustration scores varied across professional cadres, with doctors recording the highest mean score (3.43 ± 1.06), although the differences were not statistically significant, F (4, 380) = 2.04, p = 0.088. Major sources of frustration included lack of equipment/tools (88.0%), excess workload (85.0%), and poor salary (84.0%). Workplace frustration correlated positively with migration intention across all cadres (r = 0.43 - 0.67, p Conclusion: Workplace frustration is significantly associated with migration intention among healthcare workers. Addressing structural and psychosocial workplace challenges may contribute to improved workforce retention in resource-constrained settings.