Self-Efficacy and Emotional Intelligence as Predictors of Perceived Stress in Nursing Professionals

Psychological Distress Among Malaysian University Students: The Protective Roles of Hope, Optimism, Resilience, and Self-Efficacy

Psychological distress is a growing concern among university students, yet the role of Psychological Capital (PsyCap) components in mitigating distress remains unclear. This study examines the protective roles of self-efficacy, optimism, hope, and resilience on psychological distress among Malaysian university students. A total of 547 students aged 18 to 24 years (M = 21.23, SD = 1.82) participated in this cross-sectional correlational study. Using SmartPLS software, the regression analysis showed that self-efficacy and optimism were significant negative predictors of psychological distress, whereas pessimism and succumbing were significant positive predictors. However, hope and resilience did not exhibit significant predictive effects. These findings highlight the protective roles of self-efficacy and optimism in reducing distress, while acknowledging the detrimental impact of pessimism and succumbing. Outcomes of the study support Psychological Distress Theory and partially validate PsyCap, highlighting the distinct contributions of its components on psychological distress. Addressing these negative psychological constructs through targeted interventions such as self-efficacy enhancement workshops and cognitive-behavioural programs may help reduce pessimistic thoughts and psychological distress among university students.

Resilience as a mediator between emotional intelligence (EI) and perceived stress among young adults in Malaysia

Stress encompasses a complex interplay of physical, mental, and emotional responses triggered by demanding or challenging circumstances. Perceived stress refers to the subjective assessment of stress levels by an individual. As existing research indicates, this subjective experience of stress is intricately connected to emotional intelligence (EI) and resilience. Aligned with this knowledge, the present study aims to contribute to the existing body of knowledge by exploring the mediating role of resilience in the relationship between EI and perceived stress levels. A cross-sectional online study was conducted involving 207 young adults from Malaysia (152 females and 55 males). Sex (gender) differences in perceived stress levels were evaluated using t-tests, revealing that females reported higher levels of perceived stress. Interestingly, EI did not exhibit an age-related increase. Results confirmed the predictive relationships among EI, resilience, and perceived stress. Mediational analyses uncovered a full mediation model, illustrating that resilience is pivotal in mediating the relationship between EI and perceived stress. The findings strongly indicate that individuals with elevated EI levels are more likely to possess higher resilience, resulting in lower perceived stress levels. These results underscore the importance of interventions targeting EI and resilience enhancement, as such interventions hold promise for positively impacting the mental well-being of young adults.

Influencing Factors of Nurses' Well-Being in Critical Care During Pandemic Era: A Systematic Review

AIM

To identify factors protecting and hindering the well-being of critical care nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND

The unique work challenges of critical care nurses can undermine their professional and mental well-being; as evidenced by the prevailing literature on burnout, compassion fatigue, and moral distress. The COVID-19 pandemic has seen these professionals on the front lines and has raised many questions about professional well-being. Identifying the factors that protect and hinder the well-being of critical care nurses would help to develop the strategies necessary to reduce worrying phenomena associated with professional malaise.

EVALUATION

A systematic review was conducted using electronic databases including PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, Cochrane, PsycINFO, and Web on Science.

KEY ISSUES

After full text analysis, 25 papers were included in the current systematic review. Factors influencing the well-being of critical care nurses have been grouped into "Protective" and "Hindering."

CONCLUSIONS

This review shows that critical care nurses' well-being is influenced by factors like personal resilience and supportive work environments, which enhance their experience. Challenges include sociodemographic issues and the COVID-19 pandemic's impact. Addressing these factors is crucial for their well-being and the effectiveness of healthcare systems.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE

The well-being of nurses is intricately linked to the quality and security of patient care, ultimately influencing clinical outcomes. This review delves deeply into the multifaceted factors that affect the professional well-being of critical care nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recognizing these elements is critical for directing health policy toward the development of initiatives that bolster healthcare workers' welfare. Prioritizing the professional well-being of nurses is imperative, as it is fundamental in mitigating the increasing inclination towards job turnover, a challenge that is profoundly impacting the healthcare sector.

Emotional analysis of operating room nurses in acute care hospitals in Japan: insights using ChatGPT

AIM

This study aimed to explore the emotions of operating room nurses in Japan towards perioperative nursing using generative AI and human analysis, and to identify factors contributing to burnout and turnover.

METHODS

A single-center cross-sectional study was conducted from February 2023 to February 2024, involving semi-structured interviews with 10 operating room nurses from a national hospital in Japan. Interview transcripts were analyzed using generative AI (ChatGPT-4o) and human researchers for thematic, emotional, and subjectivity analysis. A comparison between AI and human analysis was performed, and data visualization techniques, including keyword co-occurrence networks and cluster analysis, were employed to identify patterns and relationships.

RESULTS

Key themes such as patient care, surgical safety, and nursing skills were identified through thematic analysis. Emotional analysis revealed a range of tones, with AI providing an efficient overview and human researchers capturing nuanced emotional insights. High subjectivity scores indicated deeply personal reflections. Keyword co-occurrence networks and cluster analysis highlighted connections between themes and distinct emotional experiences.

CONCLUSIONS

Combining generative AI with human expertise offered nuanced insights into the emotions of operating room nurses. The findings emphasize the importance of emotional support, effective communication, and safety protocols in improving nurse well-being and job satisfaction. This hybrid approach can help address emotional challenges, reduce burnout, and enhance retention rates. Future research with larger and more diverse samples is needed to validate these findings and explore the broader applications of AI in healthcare.

Influencing Factors of Social Anxiety of Undergraduate Nursing Students Based on Random Forest Model: A Cross-Sectional Study

AIM

Social anxiety is common among students, yet research specifically on undergraduate nursing students is scarce. Previous studies have identified various influencing factors but lack a clear ranking of their importance, making it challenging to implement effective intervention strategies with limited resources. This study aims to assess the level of social anxiety in undergraduate nursing students and rank the importance of its influencing factors, providing essential insights for developing efficient and targeted interventions.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study was conducted with 546 undergraduate nursing students in China.

METHODS

Data were collected via a web-based questionnaire, which included the fear of positive and negative evaluation scale, the self-efficacy scale, and the social anxiety scale. The random forest model was employed to analyse the data and rank the importance of the influencing factors.

RESULTS

The total social anxiety score among undergraduate nursing students was 11.20 ± 4.71. Social anxiety had a positive correlation with both fear of positive evaluation (r = 0.521, p < 0.001) and fear of negative evaluation (r = 0.648, p < 0.001) and a negative correlation with self-efficacy (r = -0.273, p < 0.001). According to the random forest model, the top five predictors of social anxiety in this study were fear of negative evaluation, fear of positive evaluation, personality traits, self-efficacy, and academic performance.

CONCLUSION

Attention to social anxiety in undergraduate nursing students is necessary, particularly for those with a higher fear of evaluations, introverted personalities, lower self-efficacy, and poor academic performance. Nursing educators should consider recognising social anxiety and developing personalised interventions tailored to the specific characteristics of these students.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

All participants contributed to the conducting of this study by completing self-reported questionnaires.

The Impact of Emotional Intelligence on Nurses' Professional Quality of Life in Pre-Hospital Emergency Settings: A Multicentre Mixed-Method Study

BACKGROUND

Pre-hospital emergency nurses, frequently exposed to high-stress situations, are at risk for burnout and stress-related issues, affecting their overall well-being. The Professional Quality of Life (ProQoL) scale, widely used among hospital nurses, remains untested in pre-hospital emergency settings.

AIM

To adapt and validate the ProQoL scale for pre-hospital emergency contexts and explore the protective role of emotional intelligence in professional well-being.

METHODS

A mixed-method study was conducted. The qualitative approach involved semi-structured interviews to inform the modification of items for adapting the ProQoL to the pre-hospital emergency setting. A quantitative method was applied to assess the relationship between emotional intelligence and professional well-being through content and face validity measures.

RESULTS

Qualitative interviews suggested refining the ProQoL for pre-hospital emergency settings, emphasising factors such as job satisfaction and professional conduct. The revised 21-item Pre-Hospital Emergency-Professional Quality of Life (PHE-ProQoL) scale demonstrated strong content validity (I-CVI: 0.86-1, S-CVI: 0.9) and face validity. Significant correlations were observed between emotional intelligence and professional well-being, with negative correlations between emotional intelligence and both burnout (Pearson's r = -0.859) and post-traumatic stress (Pearson's r = -0.792), and a positive correlation with compassion satisfaction (Pearson's r = +0.917). Pre-hospital nurses displayed moderate levels of compassion satisfaction (27.3 ± 9.81), high emotional intelligence (28.0 ± 9.58), especially in empathy, and substantial levels of burnout (22.5 ± 6.09) and stress (21.2 ± 4.3).

DISCUSSION

The study found that pre-hospital emergency nurses exhibit moderate compassion satisfaction and above-average emotional intelligence, particularly in perceiving and managing others' emotions. However, they also experience significant levels of burnout and post-traumatic stress.

CONCLUSIONS

Burnout and post-traumatic stress significantly affect pre-hospital emergency nurses. Enhancing emotional intelligence is crucial for their well-being. Nursing managers now have access to a validated and reliable tool to assess this.

Relationship between burnout and turnover intention among nurses: a network analysis

BACKGROUND

Nurse burnout and turnover intention significantly impact global healthcare systems, especially intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic. This study employs network analysis to explore these phenomena, providing insights into the interdependencies and potential intervention points within the constructs of burnout and turnover intention among nurses.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted with 560 nurses from three tertiary hospitals in Hangzhou, China. Data were collected via online questionnaires, including the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey (MBI-GS) and the Turnover Intention Questionnaire (TIQ). Network analysis was performed using Gaussian graphical models to construct the network model and calculate related metrics.

RESULTS

The network analysis revealed that items related to personal accomplishment and emotional exhaustion were central, indicating significant roles in influencing nurses' turnover intentions. Specifically, perceived meaningful work and self-efficacy emerged as pivotal nodes, suggesting that enhancing these can mitigate turnover intentions. The network's stability and accuracy were confirmed through bootstrapping methods, emphasizing the robustness of the findings.

CONCLUSION

The study underscores the importance of addressing nurse burnout by focusing on core elements like personal accomplishment and self-efficacy to reduce turnover intentions. These insights facilitate targeted interventions that could improve nurse retention and stability within healthcare systems. Future research should expand to multi-center studies to enhance the generalizability of these findings.

The associations between emotional empathy, emotional intelligence, and COVID-19-related stress among nursing students: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic has variably affected the stress levels among students. Nursing students, as the reserve force of medical resources and the successors of frontline nursing staff, warrant particular attention regarding their stress levels. This study investigates the relationship between emotional empathy, emotional intelligence, and COVID-19-related stress in nursing students and examines the masking role of emotional intelligence in this relationship.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted from March to June 2023 using multi-stage sampling method to recruit 1126 nursing students from a medical university. Participants completed a demographic information questionnaire, the COVID-19 Student Stress Questionnaire, the Multidimensional Emotional Empathy Scale, and the Trait Meta-Mood Scale. Data were analyzed using t-tests/ one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlations, multiple linear regression, and the PROCESS macro program to examine the relationships between emotional empathy, emotional intelligence, and COVID-19-related stress, as well as the masking role of emotional intelligence.

RESULTS

Statistically significant differences were observed in COVID-19-related stress scores among nursing students from different residential areas (P < 0.05); Emotional empathy was significantly positively correlated with emotional intelligence and its dimensions. Emotional empathy also showed a significant positive correlation with COVID-19-related stress. Emotional intelligence and its dimensions were significantly negatively correlated with COVID-19-related stress; Emotional empathy and emotional intelligence were significant predictors of COVID-19-related stress; Emotional intelligence and its dimensions demonstrated a masking effect on the relationship between emotional empathy and COVID-19-related stress, with total effect sizes of -0.023 for emotional intelligence, -0.021 for emotional attention, -0.017 for emotional clarity, and - 0.018 for emotional repair.

CONCLUSION

Emotional empathy and emotional intelligence were significant predictors of COVID-19-related stress among nursing students. Emotional intelligence masked the impact of emotional empathy on COVID-19-related stress. Schools should implement stress management programs for nursing students that focus on enhancing emotional intelligence and moderating excessive emotional empathy. These programs are particularly crucial during public health emergencies to reduce stress levels and promote mental well-being.

CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER

Not applicable.

The influencing factors of nurses' well-being in critical care during pandemic era: a systematic review protocol

Purpose

To review, identify and disclose predictive and hindering factors of critical care nurse well-being in the COVID-19 era.

Design

Systematic review protocol based on the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) guidelines.

Review Methods

All quantitative primary studies focused on factors influencing the well-being of critical care nurses and the relationships among these factors will be included. Based on the review question, six databases will be searched: MEDLINE, The Cochrane Library, SCOPUS, CINAHL, Web on Science, PsycINFO. Time limits will be set according to the COVID-19 pandemic era. To establish the quality of studies JBI tools will be used. Where possible, data will be summarised quantitatively through meta-analysis.

Expected Results

We anticipate that this systematic review will provide an overview of the factors that impacted the professional well-being of critical care nurses during the pandemic period from COVID-19.

Conclusions

This study will be the first to reveal factors that impact intensive care nurses' well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic era. Furthermore, it will provide updated and valid evidence of which factors should be considered predictive of intensive care nurses' well-being and which hinder it.

Implication for the profession

Enhancing the professional well-being of nurses is crucial in addressing the growing trend of their intention to leave the profession. Understanding the factors that positively or negatively impact the well-being of critical care nurses during the pandemic is key to developing effective retention strategies within the nursing field. The results of the review will support managers and leaders in direct health policies toward the implementation of interventions to promote the well-being of healthcare workers and to contrast the intention to leave.

Effect of stress on study skills self-efficacy in Nursing students: the chain mediating role of general self-efficacy and self-directed learning

BACKGROUND

The purpose of the study is to explore the current level of nursing students' study skills self-efficacy, and whether general self-efficacy and self-directed learning ability mediate the relationship between perceived stress (including positive stress and negative stress) and study skills self-efficacy.

METHODS

The survey was conducted among 1,289 nursing students including 795 students from Jinzhou Medical University and 494 students from Dalian University. Participants completed a self-designed questionnaire, which included the Study Skills Self-Efficacy Scale, Perceived Stress Scale, General Self-Efficacy Scale, Self-Directed Learning Instrument, gender, age, academic year, and other demographic characteristics. Descriptive analysis, independent-samples t-test, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson correlation analyses, and the bootstrap method were used for data analysis.

RESULTS

Positive stress significantly positively predicted students' study skills self-efficacy, with an effect size of 0.686. Moreover, general self-efficacy and self-directed learning mediate the relationship between positive stress and study skills self-efficacy in nursing students, with effect sizes of 0.235 and 0.245, respectively. The direct effect of negative pressure on students' study skills self-efficacy is not statistically significant, but it has a significant negative predictive effect on study skills self-efficacy under the mediation of general self-efficacy and self-directed learning, with effect sizes of -0.337 and -0.238, respectively.

CONCLUSION

This study explains how stress affects students' study skills self-efficacy, and the results have certain enlightenment significance for improving the stress management ability and study skills self-efficacy of college students in the future.

Stress and Self-Efficacy in Parents/Caregivers and Oral Health of Individuals with Down Syndrome During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study

The family of individuals living with Down Syndrome (DS) often demonstrate high levels of stress associated with the demand for care and difficulties experienced in everyday life. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to assess perceived stress by parents/caregivers of individuals with DS and its association with general perceived self-efficacy and dental outcomes, considering the COVID-19 pandemic's impacts on family's daily activities and finances. A sample of 257 parents/caregivers answered a questionnaire with socioeconomic, dental, and behavioral variables and the short version of the Perceived Stress Scale and the General Perceived Self-Efficacy Scale. The sample was divided into three groups based on perceived stress levels. Associated variables were evaluated using multinomial logistic regression (level of significance 5%), adjusting for socioeconomic factors. The mean perceived stress score was 17.84 ± 5.75 (0-39). Medium stress (second tertile) was associated with finger/nail biting in individuals with DS (OR = 2.05; 95%CI 1.04-4.03; p = 0.038), difficulty in performing oral hygiene (OR = 2.39; 95%CI 1.23-4.65; p = 0.011) and medium and high self-efficacy (OR = 0.12; 95%CI 0.05-0.31; p < 0.001 and OR = 0.38; 95%CI 0.15-0.98; p = 0.046, respectively); high stress (third tertile) was associated with medium and high self-efficacy (OR = 0.25; 95%CI 0.09-0.67; p = 0.006 and OR = 0.05; 95%CI 0.02-0.15; p < 0.001, respectively) and negative impact of COVID-19 in family finances (OR = 3.00; 95%CI 1.39-6.44; p = 0.005). It was concluded that parents/caregivers' perceived stress was averaged and associated with self-efficacy, finger/nail biting, oral hygiene demands, and the financial impact of COVID-19.

Anxiety among Ukrainian academic staff during wartime

The ongoing war in Ukraine has significantly impacted the mental health of academic staff, with anxiety emerging as a predominant issue. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and severity of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) among Ukrainian academic staff and determine the influence of sociodemographic factors, such as gender, age, migration status, scientific degree, and job title, on anxiety levels. The research was conducted using a cross-sectional online survey between December 2023 and February 2024. The sample included 429 participants from various Ukrainian universities, representing both male and female academic staff, holding job positions such as assistants, senior lecturers, associate professors, and full professors. The findings revealed that 44.3% of participants experienced moderately severe to severe anxiety, with migration due to the full-scale war being a significant predictor of higher anxiety levels. Notably, male academic staff exhibited higher anxiety levels than their female counterparts, contrary to typical peacetime trends, suggesting that wartime responsibilities and societal expectations may play a crucial role. The data underscore the need for targeted mental health support, particularly for displaced academic staff, and highlight the importance of developing gender-specific interventions. These insights are vital for informing policies and support programs to enhance academic staff's mental health and productivity in conflict zones, ensuring the continuity and quality of scientific research during and after the war.

Association between weight perception and perceived stress among Korean adults from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Although several studies showed a correlation between weight perception and depression, the association between weight perception and perceived stress is unclear. This study explored this association using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey with 37,022 participants. Participants were grouped based on how they perceived their body versus real body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference: accurate, underperception, or overperception. Stress was assessed through a questionnaire. The logistic regression analysis was performed, and odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) was presented. The results showed a correlation between overperception and higher perceived stress. This correlation was especially apparent in women with significant OR and 95% CIs of 1.15 (1.07-1.23) for BMI and 1.15 (1.07-1.23) for waist circumference. In the subgroup analysis according to the real obese status, all misperceptions were associated with higher perceived stress in normal participants. In comparison, underperception showed a correlation with lower perceived stress in obese participants. The results suggest weight perception as a potential marker for many stress-related diseases and an important factor in treating mental disorders. Further research is needed to understand the relationship between stress and weight perception.

Global self-esteem and coping with stress by Polish students during the COVID-19 pandemic

Objectives

Students experience considerable stress and anxiety during the course of their studies, which has a significant impact on their health and hinders the learning process. There are many stressors that can intensify stress, which is why choosing the right strategies for coping with stress and self-esteem is so important.

Methods

The study was conducted on 798 students of the School of Public Health at the University of Warmia and Mazury in majors: nursing, midwifery, emergency medicine and dietetics (subgroup 1; n = 428; 53.77%) and at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, major: veterinary medicine (subgroup 2; n = 368; 46.23%). The study employed the diagnostic survey method using a questionnaire technique including Rosenberg's Self-Esteem Scale, MINI-COPE, PSS-10, and a self-questionnaire.

Results

The scores obtained by over half of the students were indicative of low global self-esteem, whereas over 80% of the students felt stress at a high intensity. Moreover, it was shown that the veterinary medicine students demonstrated a higher intensity of coping strategies, i.e., active coping (p < 0.04) and planning (p < 0.02), than medicine students.

Conclusion

The study revealed that students, irrespective of the major, experienced high levels of stress. Self-esteem had a significant impact on the stress level and methods of coping with difficult situations in students of medicine. A majority of the students applied positive styles of coping with stress.

Survey of role stress among specialty nurses working in tertiary general hospitals across China: a cross-sectional descriptive study

BACKGROUND

Occupational stress can affect specialty nurses' quality of work, especially for those working in care units. This study, therefore, investigated role stress and its related factors among specialty nurses working in tertiary general hospitals.

METHODS

This cross-sectional descriptive study used convenience sampling to recruit 795 Chinese specialty nurses in 11 tertiary general hospitals (from February to March 2023). A questionnaire survey was conducted using the Basic Information Questionnaire and the Role Stress Scale. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed on the survey data to explore the factors affecting role stress.

RESULTS

The total role stress score of specialty nurses in tertiary general hospitals was 52.05 ± 19.98. The highest mean item score was quantitative overload, followed by qualitative overload, role conflict, and role ambiguity, which had the lowest score. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that gender (β = -0.085, p < 0.05), educational background (β = 0.077, p < 0.05), and work experience (β = -0.104, p < 0.05) were the main factors influencing role stress among specialty nurses.

CONCLUSIONS

Specialty nurses in tertiary general hospitals had higher levels of role stress than general nurses. Their role stress was primarily reflected in role overload, followed by role conflict and ambiguity. The factors affecting specialty nurses' role stress included gender, work experience, and educational background. Nursing managers should monitor the role stress experienced by specialty nurses in tertiary general hospitals. Providing psychological support for male specialty nurses, performance rewards and learning opportunities for highly educated specialty nurses, and continuous training for inexperienced specialty nurses are essential measures to relieve role stress.

A study of the relationship and mediating effects of perceived stress and post-traumatic growth in patients undergoing postoperative chemotherapy for breast cancer

OBJECTIVE

The traumatic experience of cancer, in addition to its negative impact on breast cancer patients, can also bring about positive change, i.e., post-traumatic growth (PTG). PTG can help boost patients' confidence in their fight against the disease and improve their adherence to treatment, thereby facilitating their recovery. The study aimed to investigate the effect of perceived stress on the PTG of patients undergoing postoperative chemotherapy for breast cancer and to examine the roles of rumination and self-efficacy between two.

METHODS

The data was collected using a cross-sectional design. From December 2021 to October 2022, a total of 306 breast cancer patients who had undergone chemotherapy following surgery and met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were selected from three tertiary-level A hospitals in Henan Province, China. We conducted descriptive analysis, Pearson correlation analysis, and a regression analysis using PROCESS Macro Model 80 to explore the relationships among perceived stress, rumination, self-efficacy, and PTG.

RESULTS

Perceived stress of patients undergoing postoperative chemotherapy for breast cancer had a negative predictive effect on PTG (r = -0.340, P < 0.01); Rumination and self-efficacy played a partial mediating effect between perceived stress and PTG, accounting for 45.25% of the total effect.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinical nursing staff could promote PTG by strengthening psychological assessment and timely psychological intervention for patients with high perceived stress levels, encourage patients to adopt a positive way of thinking about illness and improve their self-efficacy level, so as to improve their PTG level.

The moderating role of self-efficacy in the relationship between occupational stress and mental health issues among nurses

Occupational stress is a complex concept resulting from interaction among personnel, work environment, and cultural contexts. It can cause mental health issues, including clinical mental disorders, as well as emotional challenges like depression, anxiety, cognitive difficulties, and feeling sad. As a vulnerable group, healthcare professionals, especially nurses, experience a high rate of occupational stress. Therefore, we aimed to study the relationship between occupational stress, mental health problems, and self-efficacy among the nursing population. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 365 nurses selected through a two-stage sampling process from tertiary hospitals in Qazvin, Iran, between July and September 2022. Study variables included occupational stress measured by the persian version of the health and safety executive management standards revised indicator tool (MS-RIT), the general health questionnaire containing 28 questions measuring psychological distress in four primary areas of somatic and anxiety symptoms, sleep disorders, social dysfunction, and depression [GHQ-28], and general self-efficacy [GSE-10]. The mentioned variables and some of the nurses' demographic characteristics, including age, gender, education, and work experience, were analyzed using moderated multiple regression, descriptive statistics, and the Pearson correlation coefficient.The Pearson correlation analysis revealed a statistically significant association between self-efficacy and occupational stress (r = 0.62, P = 0.000) and self-efficacy and mental health (r = 0.67, P = 0.01). Regression analysis demonstrated that occupational stress accounted for 42% of the variation in mental health (R2 = 0.42, P < 0.01). The results also showed that self-efficacy moderates the relationship between occupational stress and mental health, with a significant effect (P < 0.01). The elevated prevalence of occupational stress and the concerning state of mental health among nurses highlight the need for the implementation of intervention programs, including stress prevention strategies at the workplace through organizing better working shifts, as well as increasing nurses' self-efficacy and their effective participation in work-related tasks aiming to enhance working conditions for nurses.

Research on the correlation between clinical nurses' self-efficacy, future time perspective, and occupational burnout

Background

The number of clinical nurses in China experiencing professional burnout is increasing yearly, posing a serious challenge to the public health sector. Implementing effective intervention strategies is key to reducing the level of occupational burnout. At present, training aimed at alleviating occupational burnout among clinical nurses is very limited, with common training programs focusing on addressing external factors of occupational burnout rather than the internal cognitive issues of clinical nurses. Self-efficacy and future time perspective are both aspects of an individual's internal self-cognition. Meanwhile, the relationship between clinical nurses' self-efficacy, future time perspective, and occupational burnout is not clear, and further research is needed to verify this.

Objective

This study aims to reveal the relationship between clinical nurses' self-efficacy, future time perspective, and occupational burnout, and to explore the mediating role of future time perspective between self-efficacy and occupational burnout among clinical nurses, providing a scientific reference for training directions to improve occupational burnout.

Methods

This study used a cross-sectional design, conducting a questionnaire survey with 529 practicing clinical nurses using the General Demographics Questionnaire (GDQ), the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory (ZTPI), and the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey (MBI-GS). SPSS software version 26.0 was used to analyze the correlation between variables, and AMOS 26.0 was used to test the mediation effect.

Results

Clinical nurses' self-efficacy had a negative predictive effect on occupational burnout (r = -0.503, p < 0.001). Future time perspective showed significant differences in regression coefficients on both the paths of self-efficacy (r = 0.615, p < 0.001) and occupational burnout (r = -0.374, p < 0.001). Future time perspective played a partial mediating role between self-efficacy and occupational burnout, accounting for 33.8% of the total effect.

Conclusion

This study suggests a significant correlation between clinical nurses' self-efficacy, future time perspective, and occupational burnout. Self-efficacy can directly affect occupational burnout in clinical nurses and can also indirectly affect occupational burnout through the future time perspective.

Outcomes of whole-body photobiomodulation on pain, quality of life, leisure physical activity, pain catastrophizing, kinesiophobia, and self-efficacy: a prospective randomized triple-blinded clinical trial with 6 months of follow-up

Background

The management of fibromyalgia (FM) symptoms on a global scale remains a complex endeavor. This study endeavors to assess the impact of whole-body photobiomodulation (PBM) compared to placebo PBM on pain, functionality, and psychological symptoms in individuals afflicted with fibromyalgia.

Objectives

The primary objectives of this research were to conduct a comparative analysis of the effects of whole-body photobiomodulation (PBM) and placebo PBM on pain, functionality, and psychological symptoms in patients suffering from fibromyalgia (FM).

Methods

A total of 42 subjects were recruited from a private care practice for participation in this triple-blinded, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial. Participants underwent 12 treatment sessions, and assessments were conducted at various intervals, including baseline (T0), midway through the 12-session treatment (T1), at the completion of the 12 sessions (T2), and follow-ups at 2 weeks (T3), 3 months (T4), and 6 months (T5).

Results

Statistical analysis revealed significant reductions in pain at T2, T3, and T5. Additionally, quality of life exhibited marked improvements after sessions at T1, T2, T3, T4, and T5. Leisure activity also demonstrated statistically significant improvements at T2, T3, T4, and T5. Furthermore, kinesiophobia showed significant differences between groups immediately after treatment at T2, T3, T4, and T5. Self-efficacy, when compared between groups, demonstrated significant differences at T3, T4, and T5 (two weeks after treatment). Lastly, pain catastrophizing exhibited significant differences only at T5.

Conclusion

The findings of this study indicate that whole-body PBM treatment for 4 weeks resulted in significant pain reduction and improved quality of life in individuals suffering from FM. Furthermore, kinesiophobia and self-efficacy demonstrated improvements in both short-term and long-term assessments, while pain catastrophizing showed improvement at the 6-month follow-up. Consequently, whole-body PBM emerges as a promising multifactorial treatment option for FM patients, though further studies are required to validate and strengthen these results.Clinical Trial Registration:Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT0424897.

Positive effect of Balint group on burnout and self-efficacy of head nurses in China: a randomized controlled trial

Background

Burnout is common among nurses and can lead to negative outcomes of medical care. This study aimed to explore the effectiveness of Balint groups to reduce burnout in head nurses in a Chinese hospital.

Methods

This was a randomized controlled trial with a pre- and post-test. A total of 80 head nurses were randomly assigned to either a Balint group (n = 40) or a control group (n = 40). Participants participated in Balint group for a period of 3 months. Participants in both groups completed the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey and the General Self-Efficacy Scale at the beginning and end of the study. Balint group members also completed the Group Climate Questionnaire-Short Form.

Results

In the Balint group, 33 participants attended all Balint groups, while the 40 participants in the control group had no intervention. Analysis of variance with repeated measures demonstrated a statistically significant difference on the Maslach Burnout Inventory subscale of sense of personal achievement (F = 9.598, p = 0.003) between the Balint and control groups. However, there were no significant differences between the groups on the subscales of emotional exhaustion (F = 0.110, p = 0.740) and depersonalization (F = 0.75, p = 0.387), and the General Self-Efficacy Scale (F = 0.709, p = 0.403).

Conclusions

Balint groups helped reduce burnout among head nurses in terms of personal achievement.

The effectiveness of learning strategies for the development of Emotional Intelligence in undergraduate nursing students: A systematic review protocol

AIM

This protocol proposes a systematic review to identify and disclose learning strategies and evaluation tools to improve Emotion Intelligence (EI) in undergraduate nursing students.

BACKGROUND

EI improves the ability to manage emotions and their consequences. Management of emotions is fundamental in nursing both at inter- and intra-professional levels, and with the patients and their family carers.

DESIGN

Systematic review protocol of effectiveness based on the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) guidelines.

REVIEW METHODS

All articles based on educational programmes and/or activities to develop EI in nursing curricula will be included in the review. It will analyse the principle EI attributes and outcomes such as burnout, intention to leave and problem-solving skills. Based on the review question, seven databases will be searched: MEDLINE, The Cochrane Library, SCOPUS, CINAHL, EMBASE, PsycINFO and ERIC. Also, grey literature (Google Scholar and Open Gray) will be searched. Since no similar systematic reviews are present in the literature, no time limits will be set. To establish the quality of studies JBI tools will be used. When appropriate, we will meta-analyse prevalence and incidence estimates or we will meta-synthesize themes and findings.

EXPECTED RESULTS

This systematic review is expected to provide an overview of educational and training methods, pedagogical strategies and evaluation tools to address EI in nursing and provide high-quality care to patients and their families. Results of the review will support nursing educators and leaders in implementing teaching and learning strategies to improve the Emotional Intelligence of undergraduate nursing students.

CONCLUSIONS

Mastering emotions is fundamental for nurses. Implementing education courses based on EI according to the best training methods and pedagogical strategies could become key for nursing curricula. Moreover, after the review, it will be possible to identify the best training methods and pedagogical strategies for implementing continuing professional development (CPD) courses in EI in the courses of following graduation.

Spiritual Intelligence as a Coping Strategy to Manage Job Stress for Midwives in Northern Iran: A Cross-Sectional Study

This study aimed to explore whether spiritual intelligence could help midwives cope with job-related stress. A cross-sectional study was done with 143 midwives in Babol, Iran. The sampling method was non-random and convenience samples were used. Amram and Dreyer's spiritual intelligence and health and safety executive occupational stress questionnaires were used. The response rate of subjects was 90.51%. Results showed that the most predictors of job stress were total spiritual intelligence (β = 0.507, p = 0.001) and the ratio of midwives to patients on the night shift (β =  - 0.224, p = 0.033). High levels of spiritual intelligence were associated with a low level of stress, which could help midwives adapt to job-related challenges.

Resilience and stress as predictors of work engagement: the mediating role of self-efficacy in nurses

Background

Nurses face high levels of stress and work demands, which can affect their work engagement and psychological well-being. Resilience and self-efficacy have been identified as important resources to improve nurses' adaptation and work engagement.

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the mediating role of self-efficacy in the relationship between resilience and stress on work engagement in Peruvian nurses.

Methods

A cross-sectional design was used, and data were collected from a sample of 459 nurses. Self-report questionnaires were administered to measure self-efficacy, resilience, stress, and work engagement. SEM analyses were performed to examine the relationship between these variables, and a mediation analysis was conducted to evaluate the role of self-efficacy as a mediator in the relationship between resilience, stress, and work engagement.

Results

The results indicated a positive relationship between resilience, self-efficacy, and work engagement, as well as a negative relationship between stress and work engagement. Additionally, self-efficacy mediated the relationship between resilience and work engagement, as well as the relationship between stress and work engagement in nurses.

Conclusion

Personal resources such as self-efficacy are a key factor in the relationship between resilience (work resources), stress (work demands), and work engagement of Peruvian nurses. Strengthening self-efficacy and resilience can improve work engagement and personal satisfaction of nurses. Hospital administrators and nursing managers should consider the importance of resilience, stress, work engagement, and self-efficacy in registered nurses and develop effective strategies to improve them. This can have a positive impact on the quality of care provided to patients and on the job satisfaction of nurses.

Understanding and Fostering Mental Health and Well-Being among University Faculty: A Narrative Review

In recent years, there has been increasing recognition of mental health concerns in academia, with stress, burnout, anxiety, and depression being reported among faculty members. The demanding work environment, the need to balance personal and professional duties, and the constant pressure of productivity while navigating multiple tasks of teaching, research, mentorship, professional development, and service all impact the mental health and overall well-being of faculty. Higher education institutions have structurally changed as has the research landscape. These changes as well as faculty-specific and student-specific factors coupled to the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic have led to profound effects on the mental health of academics. This paper is a narrative review of the pertinent literature describing faculty mental health and well-being. It summarizes the available evidence on factors influencing faculty mental health and shows the prevalence of anxiety, depression, stress, and burnout among faculty from various academic fields and along the whole academic ladder. Using a suggested framework that collates the efforts of leaders and faculty, the paper concludes by exploring strategies that promote work-life balance among academics and suggesting effective interventions to improve their mental health outcomes.

The validity and reliability of Turkish version of the self-efficacy scale in nursing care of children with epilepsy

PURPOSE

This study was conducted to the Turkish validity and reliability study of the 'Scale of Self-efficacy in Nursing Care of Children with Epilepsy' (SSENCCE).

DESIGN AND METHODS

The construct validity of the scale was evaluated with explanatory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis. The reliability of the scales used in the research was examined with composite reliability and Cronbach's alpha coefficients.

RESULTS

A total of 144 nurses participated in the study. The variance explained in the 12-item scale was 53.6%, and the eigenvalue was found as 6.442. The commonality values of the scale items ranged from 0.304 to 0.712, and the factor loads ranged from 0.552 to 0.844. Cronbach's α of the SSENCCE was calculated as 0.907.

CONCLUSION

The Turkish version of the ESSENCE is a valid, reliable, and appropriate tool for assessing the self-efficacy of nurses providing care for children with epilepsy.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Considering that there is no scale that is used to evaluate the self-efficacy of nurses who provide care for children with epilepsy in Turkey, it is thought that this study will guide future research on the subject and the improvement of the clinical experience of nurses.

Implications of the pandemic for the construction of nurses' identity based on the journalistic media

OBJECTIVES

to analyze the work of nurses portrayed in the journalistic media and its impact on the construction of professional nursing identity.

METHODS

this is qualitative, retrospective, descriptive and documentary research, with 51 reports from Folha de São Paulo. Time frame from March to December 2020. Thematic Content Analysis carried out from Claude Dubar's theoretical perspective. Organization and coding of data performed with the help of ATLAS.ti®.

RESULTS

three categories emerged: Working conditions in the pandemic - a problem that worsened; Impacts of the pandemic on daily work; Feelings generated by the pandemic.

CONCLUSIONS

despite adversities, such as the precariousness of health institutions, inadequate working conditions for nurses, lack of basic items of individual protection, negative feelings and hopelessness, these professionals used their knowledge, skills and innovations in the act of caring, which contributed to reconstructing their professional identity.

The relationship between psychiatric nurses' perceived organizational support and job burnout: Mediating role of psychological capital

Background

Psychiatric nurses need to keep close contact with patients suffering from mental illness. Because of the special nature of their profession, there is an increasing incidence of job burnout among psychiatric nurses.

Aim

This study examined the relationship between psychiatric nurses' perceived organizational support, job burnout, and psychological capital. It also investigated the mediating role of psychological capital in the relationship between their perceived organizational support and job burnout.

Methods

A total of 916 psychiatric nurses were recruited from 6 grade-III mental facilities in Shandong Province using the stratified sampling approach. Their data were collected and examined using a general demographic data questionnaire, The Maslach Burnout Inventory, the Perceived Organizational Support Scale, and the Psychological Capital Questionnaire.

Results

The total score of job burnout was 53.71 ± 16.37. Specifically, 73.69% of the nurses had moderate to severe emotional exhaustion, 76.75% had moderate to severe job burnout pertaining to depersonalization, and 98.80% had moderate to severe job burnout pertaining to personal accomplishment. Spearman's correlation analysis showed that both psychological capital (r = -0.35, p < 0.01) and perceived organizational support (r = -0.31, p < 0.01) were adversely related to job burnout. Additionally, psychological capital somewhat mediated the relationship between perceived organizational support and job burnout. Its mediating impact accounted for 33.20% of the overall effect.

Conclusion

This study's participants had a moderate to severe level of job burnout. However, organizational support and psychological capital can be crucial in alleviating this problem among psychiatric nurses. Therefore, nursing managers and medical institutions should undertake timely and positive interventions to improve psychiatric nurses' mental health and prevent job burnout. While exploring the impact of organizational support and psychological capital on job burnout, future studies should consider other effective influencing factors, and the relationship between the different factors should be explored in depth. This would provide a basis for developing a job burnout prevention mechanism.

The Fully Mediating Role of Psychological Resilience between Self-Efficacy and Mental Health: Evidence from the Study of College Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Student populations are susceptible to the COVID-19 pandemic and may easy develop mental health problems related to their immaturity of psychological development and fluctuation of mood. However, little has been known about the effects of the pandemic on college students and the associated influencing factors. This study aimed to explore the role of psychological resilience as a mediator between general self-efficacy and mental health. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 480 Chinese college students from 12 universities in Hunan province of China. The participants responded anonymously to the Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), the Chinese version of the Resilience Scale for College Students (RSCS), and the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). Hierarchical linear regression and structural equation modeling were used in this study. The average of GSES and RSCS scores of college students were 25.00 ± 4.68 and 137.97 ± 15.50, which were at a medium level. The average score for the GHQ-12 was 1.59 ± 1.59, and 22.03% of the college students scored ≥ 3 on the GHQ-12, indicating that they were at risk of developing mental disorders. According to the analyses of mediation effect, psychological resilience played a fully mediating role in the relationship between general self-efficacy and mental health. In conclusion, Chinese college students were at high risk of developing mental disorders during the COVID-19 period. General self-efficacy was positively associated with psychological resilience, and psychological resilience played a fully mediating role in the relationship between general self-efficacy and mental health. Future studies and interventions should aim to promote psychological resilience and general self-efficacy.

Short-Term Effects of Whole-Body Photobiomodulation on Pain, Quality of Life and Psychological Factors in a Population Suffering from Fibromyalgia: A Triple-Blinded Randomised Clinical Trial

BACKGROUND

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a multifunctional chronic musculoskeletal pain condition characterised by sensory hypersensitivity. Photobiomodulation (PBM) has shown a positive impact on relieving pain; however, no studies to our knowledge have analysed a whole-body PBM intervention in subjects with FM. The aims of the study were to compare the effects of whole-body PBM with placebo PBM on pain, functionality and psychological symptoms in patients suffering from FM.

METHODS

Forty-two subjects were recruited from a private care practice. The design of the study is a randomised, triple-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Participants received 12 treatment sessions. Pain, quality of life, level of physical activity and psychological factors were assessed at baseline (T0), after session 6 (T1), after treatment (T2) and at 2-week (T3) follow-up.

RESULTS

There were statistically significant differences in pain at 4 weeks (p ≤ 0.001) (T2) and the 2-week follow-up (T3) (p ≤ 0.001). In relation to the quality of life, there were statistically significant improvements after session 6 (p ≤ 0.001) (T1), immediately after treatment (p ≤ 0.001) (T2) and at the 2-week (T3) follow-up (p ≤ 0.001). Kinesiophobia presented significant differences between groups immediately after treatment (p ≤ 0.001) (T2) and at the 2-week (T3) follow-up (p ≤ 0.001), with self-efficacy only showing significant differences between groups 2 weeks after the treatment (p = 0.01) (T2). There were no differences between groups when comparing pain catastrophising at any time.

CONCLUSION

Whole-body PBM resulted in a significant reduction in pain and an improvement in quality of life in those participants suffering from FM after receiving 4 weeks of treatment. Furthermore, psychological factors such as kinesiophobia and self-efficacy were also improved. Thus, a whole-body PBM treatment is presented as a possible new multifactorial treatment with potential benefits for those with FM and more studies are needed to corroborate our findings.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT0424897).

Role of peer learning and self-efficacy in parasympathetic activity during the simulation learning process in nursing students

AIMS

This study aimed to investigate the stress level, including parasympathetic nervous activity, of students engaged in peer learning during simulations and the role of self-efficacy.

DESIGN

Observational-comparative study.

METHODS

The participants were 76 nursing students who were asked to evaluate a stable postoperative patient in Scene 1 and the same patient bleeding in Scene 2. In each scene, the students engaged in phases of repeated individual observations of the patient and discussions with peers. We compared each participant's parasympathetic activity during each observation in Scenes 1 and 2. Furthermore, the self-efficacy score before the simulation was used to divide the participants into 3 groups, and the self-efficacy and parasympathetic activity during the simulation were analysed.

RESULTS

The participants' parasympathetic activity decreased in both scenes with each phase of repeated observation. Two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance showed no statistically significant difference in parasympathetic activity during simulations among the three self-efficacy groups.

The impact of emotional intelligence on life satisfaction among Chinese nurses: A chain mediating model

Introduction

Nurses' life satisfaction exerts a positive impact on their professional careers, and it seriously affects their physical and mental health. Low life satisfaction has become a key factor in the global shortage of nurses. Emotional intelligence may protect nurses from negative emotions that can affect the care they provide, as well as their life satisfaction. In this study, we aims to explore the impact of emotional intelligence on life satisfaction, and even verify the chain mediating effect of self-efficacy and resilience on this relationship among Chineses nurses.

Method

The Emotional Intelligence Scale, the General Self, Efficacy Scale, the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, and the Satisfaction with Life Scale were used to survey 709 nurses in southwest China. To analyze mediating effects, SPSS 26.0 and Process V3.3 were used for statistical processing.

Result

Emotional intelligence positively predicted life satisfaction. Meanwhile, it was also found that emotional intelligence and life satisfaction were continuously mediated by self-efficacy and resilience, and the indirect effect value was 0.033, accounting for 17.37%.

Conclusion

This study reveals how emotional intelligence affects nurses' life satisfaction. The results of this study have certain implications for nurses to better balance their career and life. Nursing managers should provide nurses with a favorable working environment from the perspective of positive psychology, improve their sense of self-efficacy and resilience, ultimately improve their life satisfaction.

Mediating Role of Emotional Intelligence in the Relationship between Anxiety Sensitivity and Academic Burnout in Adolescents

(1) Background: Increased stress and study overload during adolescence could be related to academic burnout. Anxiety sensitivity of students seems to affect burnout levels, while emotional intelligence enables emotion management under stressful conditions. The objective of this study is to analyze the roles of anxiety sensitivity and emotional intelligence in academic burnout. (2) Methods: In this quantitative cross-sectional study conducted in Spain, the sample comprised 1287 high school students aged 14 to 18 who filled out the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey, the Spanish version adapted for high school students of the Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3, and Brief Emotional Intelligence Inventory. (3) Results: Anxiety sensitivity was significantly higher in cynicism and emotional exhaustion. Furthermore, the mediation analysis showed that high anxiety sensitivity directly affected student exhaustion, cynicism, and efficacy levels. These effects were mediated mainly through stress management but also through the effect of stress management on mood, both emotional intelligence factors. (4) Conclusions: The academic changes that occur during high school hinder engagement and performance. Promoting the development of emotional skills would enable young people to manage their emotions when they become overwhelming and diminish their lack of interest and exhaustion in the classroom.

Do Psychological Factors Influence the Elastic Properties of Soft Tissue in Subjects with Fibromyalgia? A Cross-Sectional Observational Study

Nowadays, there is evidence related to the impact that psychological factors have on symptoms, specifically vegetative ones, and on the autonomic nervous system in patients with fibromyalgia (FM). However, there are no studies to correlate the level of association between psychological factors and the elastic properties of tissue in the FM population. Elastic properties of soft tissue reflect age- and disease-related changes in the mechanical functions of soft tissue, and mechanical failure has a profound impact on morbidity and mortality. The study has a cross-sectional observational design with 42 participants recruited from a private clinic and rehabilitation service. The Pain Catastrophizing Scale, Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale and Self-Efficacy Scale were used to assess psychological factors. The elastic properties of the tissue in the characteristic painful points, which patients suffering from FM described, were assessed by strain elastography. A low and significant level of association was found between pain catastrophising scale (PCS) and the non-dominant lateral epicondyle (r = -0.318; p = 0.045). Kinesiophobia was found to be related to the dominant lateral epicondyle (r = 0.403; p = 0.010), the non-dominant knee (r = -0.34; p = 0.027) and the dominant forearm (r = 0.360; p = 0.010). Self-Efficacy showed a low level of association with the non-dominant supraspinatus (r = -0.338; p = 0.033) and the non-dominant medial epicondyle (r = -0.326; p = 0.040). Psychological factors and the elastic properties of tissue seem to be associated in patients suffering from FM. The most profound association between psychological factors and non-dominant parts of the body could be related to neglect and non-use of those parts of the body.

Exploring links between Chinese military recruits' psychological stress and coping style from the person-environment fit perspective: The chain mediating effect of self-efficacy and social support

The choice of coping style of recruits under psychological stress in the process of military task execution has been an important topic in the promotion of military operations and cohesion of military forces. Taking a positive coping style under psychological stress can help recruits overcome the negative effects of stress and improve military morale and group combat effectiveness. Although soldiers' psychological stress in the process of military mission execution having an impact on coping style has been studied by a large body of literature, very little literature has focused on the mechanism of self-efficacy and social support between recruits' psychological stress and coping style from the person-environment fit perspective. Therefore, this study was conducted to analyze the impact of recruits' psychological stress on coping style through a chain mediation model and to discuss the role of self-efficacy and social support in this relationship. Two waves of survey data were utilized to test the research hypotheses on a sample of 1028 Chinese recruits performing military tasks. The results indicated that recruits' psychological stress negatively impacted positive coping styles and positively correlated with negative ones. In addition, self-efficacy and social support mediated the relationship between psychological stress and positive coping style, and self-efficacy mediated the relationship between psychological stress and negative coping style. More importantly, self-efficacy and social support play the chain mediating effect between psychological stress and positive coping style.

The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the professional perception and image of nursing among nurses working in surgical units: An online study

BACKGROUND

Understanding the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the perception and image of the profession are key factors in nurses' perceptions regarding their roles and their future.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the perception and image of the nursing profession among nurses working in surgical units.

METHODS

This cross-sectional, correlational study was conducted with 216 nurses using the random sampling method between 10 and 30 March, 2022. The study data were collected using an information form, the Perception of Nursing Professional Scale (PNPS), and the Scale for the Image of the Nursing Profession.

RESULTS

The nurses' mean age was 32.53±9.16 years (min 21, max 57) and their mean professional experience was 16.44±9.80 years (min 1, max 44). The mean PNPS score was 73.12±9.46, and the mean Scale for the Image of the Nursing Profession score was 171.11±11.16. Female nurses had significantly higher positive perceptions of nursing levels than male nurses. Gender, having a history of COVID-19, marginalization during the pandemic, and perception of the nursing profession significantly affected image perceptions of nursing at multiple linear regression analysis. These variables explained 43% of the total variance.

CONCLUSION

Nurses working in surgical units during the COVID-19 pandemic exhibited a good level of professionalism and image perception concerning nursing.

The effect of home visit simulation on emotional intelligence, self-efficacy, empowerment, and stress in nursing students. A single group pre-post intervention study

BACKGROUND

Clinical simulation, the teaching methodology used in the Nursing Degree, helps students to acquire certain skills. Home visiting is a complex scenario in community care that requires certain critical skills in order to function successfully.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to analyze the improvement of self-efficacy, empowerment, management of emotions and perceived stress of nursing students through clinical simulation during home visits.

DESIGN

A quasi-experimental study was carried out.

PARTICIPANTS

A sample of Students of the 2nd year of the Nursing Degree.

METHODS

A high-fidelity simulation programme was implemented in two sessions. The variables that were measured were: self-efficacy (General Self-efficacy Scale), empowerment (Spreitzer Psychological Empowerment Scale), emotional intelligence (Trait Meta-Mood Scale-24), and perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale).

RESULTS

170 students with a mean age of 22.2 years took part. An increase in general self-efficacy, self-determination, impact, empowerment (total score), and emotional clarity was observed after the intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinical simulation as a teaching methodology allows the development of skills and competencies that are necessary for nursing students to be able to function in community settings such as home care. Therefore, this teaching methodology should be integrated into University Community Nursing training programmes.

The Relationship between Daily Physical Activity, Psychological Factors, and Vegetative Symptoms in Women with Fibromyalgia: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study

Nowadays, there is evidence that relates the amount of physical activity, as well as the impact of psychological factors, to the intensity of symptoms present in patients with fibromyalgia (FM). However, there are no studies which correlate the level of association of physical activity, psychological factors and vegetative symptoms in the FM population. The study has a cross-sectional observational design with 41 participants being recruited from a private clinic and rehabilitation service. The Autonomic Symptom Profile (Compass-31) to assess vegetative symptoms, the GODIN questionnaire to evaluate the level of leisure activity, and the pain catastrophizing scale, Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale and Self-Efficacy Scale to assess psychological factors, were used. A low and significant level of association was found between pain catastrophizing (PCS) and Kinesiophobia (r = 0.398; p < 0.01), as well as with catastrophizing and vegetative symptoms (r = 0.428; p < 0.05). Furthermore, a low and significant level of association was also found between self-efficacy and vegetative symptoms (r = 0.397; p < 0.05). No association was found between the level of daily physical activity (measured by the Godin Leisure questionnaire) and vegetative symptoms, nor with any psychological factor studied. There is an association between vegetative symptoms and psychological factors. Nevertheless, more research which takes other factors into account, such as lifestyle and nutritional, is needed.

Emotional intelligence and self-esteem: Personal competencies necessary for physicians

Introduction

Even though emotional intelligence and self-esteem are truly important variables in healthcare, the fact is that there are few studies on these constructs in Spanish physicians. The objective was to analyze the relationship between self-esteem and emotional intelligence in Spanish physicians, and their relationship with sociodemographic and employment variables.

Methods

The study included a sample of 180 physicians with a mean age of 34.61, 76.7% of whom were women. The physician completed the Rosenberg self-esteem scale, the Brief Emotional Intelligence Inventory for Senior Citizens and a questionnaire on sociodemographic and work characteristics through a CAWI (Computer Assisted Web Interviewing).

Results

The results showed that the interpersonal factor of emotional intelligence diminished with age and number of children. Furthermore, women scored significantly higher in interpersonal emotional intelligence and men in adaptability. Physicians with stable contracts (46.1%) scored higher in all the emotional intelligence variables, with almost a small effect size. In the relationship between self-esteem and emotional intelligence, it was found that global self-esteem of physicians was positively related to the Stress Management, Adaptability and Mood dimensions. Physicians with high self-esteem (72.8%) showed better Stress Management and Mood than those with low self-esteem (6.1%), while in the Adaptability factor, physicians with high global self-esteem scored higher than those with medium levels (21.1%).

Conclusion

The need for a stable employment strategy was demonstrated, since this has repercussions on personal competencies of physicians as well as training in developing those consequences, since they improve physicians' quality of care and leadership, especially women with temporary contracts or with medium or low self-esteem.

Professional Quality of Life of Healthcare Workers in Hospital Emergency Departments

In previous publications, we have reported that professionals in emergency departments undergo high levels of stress according to the amounts of salivary biomarkers (α-amylase and cortisol). The stress seems to be counteracted by increased levels of dehydroepiandrosterone. This hypothesis is confirmed in the answers to different tests indicating no working stress, no anxiety, optimal self-efficacy, and good sleeping quality. Altogether, these previous results suggest an optimal adaptation of these workers to the demanding situations that occur in emergency departments. To complete this research, we decided to evaluate the quality of life of health professionals working in the emergency departments of two Spanish hospitals. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out during the pre-pandemic months of July and August 2019. We determined the professional quality of life through the QPL-35 questionnaire in 97 participants, including nurses (n = 59) and medical doctors (n = 38). Answers to the test indicate that the studied participants working in emergency departments have a good perception of professional quality of life. This is reflected in the three dimensions of the questionnaire: managerial support, workloads, and intrinsic motivation. Based on the results of all answered tests, emergency healthcare staff seem to have adequate professional management, with levels of stress, sleep, and quality of life in line with a controlled lifestyle. Altogether, this would allow a correct adaptation to the demanding situations experienced in emergency departments. The relevance to clinical practice is that the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted this controlled professional management.

Work Readiness: Its Determinants and Association with Work-related Outcomes among New Graduate Nurses

AIMS

This study aimed to identify determinants of work readiness and to assess the influences of work readiness on work-related outcomes in graduate nurses.

BACKGROUND

Higher work readiness facilitates smoother role transitions of new graduate nurses. However, determinants of work readiness had not been fully examined. In addition, the relationships between work readiness and work-related outcomes, such as coping self-efficacy and occupational commitment, are also crucial but had not been assessed.

METHODS

We recruited 794 graduate nurses and assessed their work readiness before working as nurses. After they commenced their work, we assessed their occupational commitment, coping self-efficacy, and intention to remain. All assessments were conducted online.

RESULTS

There were 728 (92%) female respondents. The mean scores and standard deviation (SD) of work readiness, coping self-efficacy, occupational commitment, and intention to remain were 261.51 (SD: 45.40), 30.30 (SD: 6.13), 81.65 (SD: 11.56), and 11.01 (SD: 2.36), respectively. Based on a regression analysis, determinants of work readiness were positive school climate, student leadership experience, nursing as the primary choice of discipline, and perceived influences of COVID-19 on the honorability of being a nurse and the willingness to be a nurse (p < 0.001). Moreover, after adjusted by all demographics and characteristics variables, higher work readiness would result in higher coping self-efficacy (estimated coefficient = 0.06, p < 0.001), occupational commitment (estimated coefficient = 0.06, p < 0.001), and intention to remain (estimated coefficient = 0.01, p = 0.002).

CONCLUSION

Work readiness is a composite concept affected by psychosocial and environmental factors, which can predict new graduate nurses' future self-efficacy, occupational commitment, and intention to remain.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT

The management of new graduate nurses when they begin to work could target their work readiness. Transition programs that consider our identified determinants can be provided to those who show lower work readiness.

The Effects of a Non-Technical Skills Training Program on Emotional Intelligence and Resilience in Undergraduate Nursing Students

There is a growing body of research on emotional intelligence and resilience in nursing students. However, there is little evidence of the development of these variables in intervention programs. This study aims to analyze the effects of a non-technical skills training program in emotional intelligence and resilience. Sixty students in the second year of Nursing Education from a Spanish public university completed this psychoeducational course. The pre-experimental design was longitudinal with pre- and post-intervention evaluation. The course consisted of 12 sessions of classroom education, three small-group workshops and a set of individual activities. Results in the emotional intelligence dimensions showed that Clarity (t = 3.10, p = 0.003) and Repair (t = 3.59, p < 0.001) increased significantly after participation in the program. Furthermore, the participants had a higher Resilience index when they had completed the program, with a statistically significant difference from the pre-course mean (t = 2.83, p = 0.006). This non-technical skills training program was an effective method of improving emotional intelligence and resilience in nursing students. Therefore, its use is recommended as a psychoeducational strategy for training undergraduate nursing students, as it improves their personal and professional competencies, resulting in higher-quality care.

Relationship Between Emotional Intelligence, Self-Acceptance, and Positive Coping Styles Among Chinese Psychiatric Nurses in Shandong

Background

Nurses are facing increasing pressure due to the progressing of society, broadening of nursing service connotation, and increasing of the masses’ demand for medical treatment. Psychiatric nurses face suicides, violence, and lost along with other accidents involving patients with mental disorders under higher psychological pressure. A coping style, which is affected by individual emotions and cognition, is an essential psychological resource that allows individuals to regulate stress. The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between self-acceptance and the positive coping style of psychiatric nurses, and investigate the mediating role of emotional intelligence.

Methods

A total of 813 psychiatric nurses from six natural regions in Shandong Province were investigated using the Self-Acceptance Questionnaire (SAQ), Emotional Intelligence Scale (EIS), Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire (SCSQ), and self-compiled general information questionnaire.

Results

The total EIS score of psychiatric nurses was 3.848 ± 0.459. The highest score was for others’ emotional management (4.071 ± 0.548) and the lowest was for emotion perception (3.684 ± 0.483). EIS and positive coping style were statistically significant based on age, work experience, professional title, education level, and gender (p < 0.05, p < 0.01). Self-acceptance was statistically significant only for professional titles (F = 3.258, p = 0.021). Self-acceptance and emotional intelligence were positively correlated with positive coping style (r = 0.361, p < 0.01; r = 0.492, p < 0.01, respectively). The factors were also positively correlated with each other (r = 0.316, p < 0.01). Self-emotion management, others’ emotional management, emotion perception, self-acceptance, and education level jointly predicted positive coping styles (R² = 0.305, F = 60.476, p = 0.000). Emotional intelligence partially mediated the relationship between self-acceptance and positive coping styles, with a mediating effect of 16.3%.

Conclusion

Emotional intelligence and self-acceptance can promote positive coping styles and improve psychiatric nurses’ mental health.

Emotional Discomfort Scale: Instrument Development and Association With General Self-Efficacy and Data From an Urban Primary Care Setting

Introduction: Sense of discomfort, which is experienced in daily encounters, can develop into stress, coexist with stress, or interplay with self-efficacy. This study presents two objectives, namely, to develop and test a new instrument called the Emotional Discomfort (EmoD) Scale and to compare the EmoD with the General Self-Efficacy (GSE) Scale.

Methods: The study was conducted in an urban primary healthcare center in Greece over a three-week period in 2020. Out of 314 individuals invited to participate, 263 accepted and completed the questionnaire. The EmoD is a five-point Likert-type eight-item scale for assessing individual reaction and sense of discomfort in daily life situations.

Results: Cronbach’s α for the new scale reached 0.730 (acceptable reliability). Participants who used psychotropic drugs scored higher in the EmoD scale compared with nonusers. GSE scores showed reverse associations with EmoD scores. Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that an increase in self-efficacy, as measured using the GSE scale, was associated with a reduction in sense of discomfort, as measured by the EmoD scale.

Conclusions: The use of the EmoD scale can aid health or social care providers in detecting levels of emotional discomfort, a finding that is demonstrated to interplay with self-efficacy. Future studies employing the use of this new instrument could examine emotional discomfort in relation to stress coping and social isolation.

Lifestyle in Female Teachers: Educational Intervention Based on Self-Efficacy Theory in the South of Fars Province, Iran

Introduction

Today, improving lifestyles and promoting health are basic needs for human society. The main goal in promoting health is to achieve healthy lifestyle behaviors, and self-efficacy is one of the factors influencing people's lifestyle. Therefore, the impact of educational intervention based on self-efficacy theory on improving lifestyles of the female teachers in Galledar was investigated.

Method

This study was a semiexperimental study with educational intervention with a control group that was performed on 120 teachers in Galledar. Data collection tools included demographic information questionnaires, health-promoting lifestyle questionnaires, and Sherry's self-efficacy questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS 25 software.

Result

The mean age and standard deviation of teachers in the control and intervention groups were 33.40 ± 5.68 and 32.83 ± 6.46 years, respectively. Health-promoting lifestyle variables are significant correlation with self-efficacy and overall lifestyle index. Six dimensions which consisted of spiritual growth and self-actualization, health responsibility, interpersonal relationships, stress management, exercise and physical activity, and nutrition showed significant statistical differences before and after educational intervention (P = 0.001).

Conclusion

Due to the sensitive role of teachers as an effective human force in the development and evolution of society and their students' role modeling, the authorities should formulate policies, regulate educational interventions, and design strategies for promoting self-efficacy beliefs and promoting a healthy lifestyle for all teachers. We suggest that other methods and theories of behavior change be used in future studies to promote a healthy lifestyle.

Effectiveness of a Mindfulness and Self-Compassion Standard Training Program versus an Abbreviated Training Program on Stress in Tutors and Resident Intern Specialists of Family and Community Medicine and Nursing in Spain

Stress is one of the most common problems among healthcare professionals, as they are exposed to potentially stressful and emotionally challenging situations in the workplace. Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) training programs have been shown to decrease stress. The objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness of an abbreviated 4-weeks MBSR training program in relation to a standard 8-weeks one on the stress levels. A controlled and randomized clinical trial was designed, in which 112 tutors and resident intern specialists in Family and Community Medicine and Nursing of six Spanish National Health System teaching units (TUs) participated. Participants included in the experimental groups (EGs) received a MBRS training program (standard or abbreviated), while control group (CG) participants did not receive any intervention. The stress levels were assessed by the Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ) in three different moments during the study: before, immediately after, and 3 months after the intervention. Adjusted covariance analysis (ANCOVA), using pretest scores as the covariate, showed a significant reduction in stress (F_(2,91) = 5.165; p = 0.008; η² = 0.102) in the post-test visit, attributable to the implementation of the standard training program, but without the maintenance of its effects over time. No significant impact of the abbreviated training program on stress levels was observed in the intergroup comparison. A standard 8-weeks MBSR training program aimed at tutors and resident intern specialists in Family and Community Medicine and Nursing produces significant improvements in stress levels compared with the abbreviated intervention and no intervention. New studies about abbreviated training programs are needed to provide effective treatments which improve well-being of these professionals.

Personality Traits and the Sense of Self-Efficacy among Nurse Anaesthetists. Multi-Centre Questionnaire Survey

Introduction: Anaesthesia and intensive care units are specific workplaces. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the level of the sense of self-efficacy and the intensification of personality traits in a group of nurse anaesthetists and to develop a regression model explaining the sense of self-efficacy. Method: The population of the questionnaire survey included nurse anaesthetists from five hospitals in south-eastern Poland. The NEO-FFI was used in assessing their personality traits. The general self-efficacy scale was employed for the self-efficacy assessment. A total of 143 correctly filled surveys were analyzed. Results: The respondents typically perceived their own self-efficacy level as upper moderate. The nurse anaesthetists participating in the study revealed a tendency to high scores in conscientiousness and extraversion, and low scores related to neuroticism. The persons characterized by high conscientiousness, extraversion and openness to experience revealed a tendency to high scores related to the sense of self-efficacy. The relationship between personality traits and experiencing the nuisance of selected stressful job factors was demonstrated. Regression analysis showed that conscientiousness and extraversion are most closely related to the sense of self-efficacy. Conclusions: It seems to be beneficial to implement occupational consulting for nurses, who are starting their work or/and taking into consideration working in anesthesiology and intensive care units. The importance of personality traits and self- efficacy in relation with well-being of medical personnel needs deeper investigations.

Role of Personality and Positive and Negative Affects in Coping Strategies of Nurses: A Cross-Sectional Study

Nurses are exposed to many highly stressful events. Individual variables, such as personality and affective state, have been related to vulnerability to maladaptive coping. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to analyze the relationships between the personality, positive and negative affects, and coping strategies of nurses and to establish the mediating role of affective state in the relationship between personality and coping. The sample was made up of 1,268 Spanish nurses aged 22-63 years who completed the Coping Strategies Inventory, the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, and the 10-item Big Five Inventory. Descriptive analyses, correlations, and mediation models were estimated. The results showed relationships between the Big Five personality factors, positive and negative affects, and coping strategies. Negative affect was confirmed as a mediator between personality and less adaptive strategies and positive affect was confirmed on positive strategies. This study emphasizes the need to develop actions directed at teaching nurses adequate problem-solving strategies and training them in the ability to assign a different emotional value to complex situations.

Variations in Salivary Stress Biomarkers and Their Relationship with Anxiety, Self-Efficacy and Sleeping Quality in Emergency Health Care Professionals

Hospital healthcare workers of emergency departments (EDs) face a variety of occupational stressors on a daily basis. We have recently published that emergency professionals display increased salivary levels of α-amylase and dehydroepiandrosterone during the working day. The pattern of these markers may suggest a counteracting mechanism of dehydroepiandrosterone against the stress reflected by amylase increases. In order to verify this hypothesis, we have analysed different psychological aspects in the same group of healthcare professionals through different tests related to behaviours resulting from stress. These include the state-trait anxiety inventory, the self-efficacy test and the sleeping quality questionnaire. The tests were provided at the beginning of the working day and collected at the end. STAI scores (trait and state) were indicative of no anxiety. Self-efficacy scores were considered optimal, as well as those from the sleeping quality questionnaire. This is supported by the modest correlation between STAI scores and salivary levels of α-amylase and dehydroepiandrosterone. In conclusion, the emergency professionals of the studied hospitals seem to have adequate work management. Altogether it means that the stress generated during work performance is controlled, allowing a correct adaptation to the demanding situations undergone in emergency departments.

Effects of Zentangle art workplace health promotion activities on rural healthcare workers

OBJECTIVES

Workplace health promotion activities have a positive effect on emotions. Zentangle art relaxes the body and mind through the process of concentrating while painting, achieving a healing effect. This study aimed to promote the physical and mental health of rural healthcare workers through Zentangle art-based intervention.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a quasi-experimental pilot study.

METHODS

A Zentangle art workshop was held from November 2019 to July 2020. A total of 40 healthcare workers were recruited. The participants were asked to provide baseline data, and the Brief Symptom Rating Scale (BSRS-5), work stress management effectiveness self-rating scale, General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), and Workplace Spirituality Scale (WSS) were administered before and after the workshop. SPSS 22.0 statistical package software was used to conduct the data analysis.

RESULTS

The median age (interquartile range [IQR]) was 32.00 years (23.00-41.75 years). The Wilcoxon signed-rank test revealed that the median (IQR) BSRS-5 postintervention score was 4.0 (1.25-5.0), which was lower than the preintervention score (P = 0.004). The postintervention score for the work stress management effectiveness self-rating scale was 36.5 (31.0-40.0), which was also lower than the preintervention score (P = 0.009). A higher score for the GSES or WSS indicated improvements in stress management and self-efficacy. The GSES postintervention score 25.00 (21.0-30.75) was significantly higher than the preintervention score (P = 0.010), and the WSS postintervention score 104.0 (88.0-111.75) was significantly higher than the preintervention score (P = 0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

The study provides evidence that painting therapy can effectively relieve stress, reduce workplace stress and frustration, enhance self-efficacy, and increase commitment to work among healthcare workers, thus improving their physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Zentangle art provides employees with multiple channels for expressing their emotions and can improve the physical and mental health of healthcare workers in the workplace. It is beneficial and cost-effective and can serve as a benchmark for peer learning.

Using psychological interventions in the nursing care of rectal cancer patients

PURPOSE

To explore the significance of psychological interventions in the nursing care of rectal cancer patients undergoing ostomy surgery.

METHODS

We recruited 120 rectal cancer patients undergoing ostomy surgery in our hospital from March 2017 to March 2018 as the study cohort, and they were equally and randomly divided into a control group and an observation group. The control group was administered routine nursing, and the observation group was administered routine nursing combined with psychological nursing. The patients' conditions were evaluated using the self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), the self-rating depression scale (SDS), the MOS item short form health survey (SF-36), and their defecation. The two groups' satisfaction levels with the nursing were also compared.

RESULTS

The SAS, SDS, HAMA, and HAMD scores in the two groups after the treatment were lower than they were before the treatment, and the observation group was much lower. The SF-36 scores, the patients' defecation, the nursing satisfaction levels, and the sleep durations in the observation group were higher than they were in the control group, and there were fewer incidences of postoperative complications in the observation group than there were in the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The effects of psychological interventions in the nursing of rectal cancer patients undergoing ostomy surgery are significant. The interventions can relieve the patients' bad moods, stabilize the patients' conditions, and improve the patients' defecation, so it is superior to routine nursing.