Abstract
BACKGROUND: The perception of respect for users' rights is fundamental for organizational well-being in mental health services. This cross-sectional observational study examined the job satisfaction and perception of user rights among nursing staff compared to other health professionals across seven countries in the Mediterranean and Latin American regions. This research measures this perception among nursing staff in different countries, with a particular focus on regional differences and professional roles. METHODS: Data were collected from mental health services in four Mediterranean and three Latin American countries via a structured questionnaire (Well-Being at Work and Respect Rights Questionnaire - WWRR), administered both online and on paper. Using multivariable logistic regression, the study analyzed associations between job satisfaction, respect for rights, and various socio-demographic and professional factors. RESULTS: Among 408 nurses and 492 other health professionals, findings revealed significant cross-country variability. Nurses in North Macedonia reported higher job satisfaction and perceived respect for user rights than other professionals (p<0.0001 in all items of the questionnaire), while Tunisian nurses showed lower organizational satisfaction but higher respect for user rights (p=0.033 for respect for rights). However, in general, no significant differences were found between nurses and other professionals across all items. CONCLUSION: The perception of respect for users' rights is fundamental for organizational well-being in mental health services. The study highlights differences in organizational well-being perceptions across various contexts, emphasizing the need for culturally and economically adapted policies to improve mental health service environments globally. The results indicate the variability in the perception of respect for rights and job satisfaction between different geographical and professional contexts. This indicates the need for policies adapted to specific cultural and economic realities to improve organizational well-being in mental health services.