Work-Related Wellbeing, Organizational Support and Professional Recognition among Italian Midwives: Results from a National FNOPO Survey

Background: Work-related wellbeing, organizational support, and professional recognition are key determinants of job satisfaction, workforce ustainability, and quality of care in midwifery. In Italy, midwives work across heterogeneous organizational settings and often face challenges related to esource availability, professional autonomy, and recognition within multidisciplinary teams. However, national-level evidence exploring these imensions of midwives’ professional wellbeing remains limited. This study aimed to investigate Italian midwives’ perceptions of work-related and organizational wellbeing, focusing on three core dimensions: availability of resources, team support and professional recognition, and workplace safety. Materials and Methods: A national cross-sectional survey promoted by the National Federation of the Councils of Midwifery Profession (FNOPO) was conducted among registered midwives in Italy. Data were collected through an anonymous online questionnaire consisting of 178 items. For the purpose of this study, analyses focused on a specific section comprising 20 items assessing work-related and organizational wellbeing, measured using a 5-point Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree). Descriptive and inferential analyses were performed using Stata/MP 18.0. Results: A total of 2330 midwives participated in the survey, representing 11.99% of all midwives currently practicing in Italy. Among the respondents, “Team support and professional recognition” was generally rated positively, while “Availability of resources” and “Workplace safety” showed more mixed perceptions. Midwives in Level I maternity units reported higher work sustainability and perceived quality of care, whereas those in Research Hospitals reported lower perceptions across multiple dimensions despite higher satisfaction with professional development. Self-employed midwives reported adequate work sustainability but limited access to resources, psychological support, and team recognition. Post-bachelor education was associated with higher perceived exposure to workplace aggression and lower freedom of expression, while years of experience and geographical area were significantly associated with most items. Conclusions: This study highlights variability in Italian midwives’ perceptions of work-related and organizational wellbeing, largely shaped by organizational and contextual factors. Care setting characteristics, professional experience, and geographical context play a central role across multiple dimensions, while educational level shows a more limited association. The large national online survey, with broad participation and good representativeness, strengthens the robustness and relevance of these findings. Targeted organizational strategies to improve resources, leader support, and workplace safety are needed to promote midwives’ wellbeing and workforce sustainability.