The Relationship Between the Humor Styles of Nurses and Psychological Well-Being During the COVID-19 Pandemic Period

BACKGROUND

The previous studies have revealed that the psychological state of nurses, who work in the front line, is negatively affected by the situations that created high pressure such as epidemics and disasters in the past.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to determine some characteristics that affect nurses' humor styles and psychological well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic period, and to determine the relationship between humor styles and psychological well-being.

METHOD

The research was conducted in a cross-sectional study. The sample of the study consists of 260 nurses from a city in eastern Turkey. The data have been collected by using a personal information form, the Humor Styles Scale, and the Psychological Well-Being Scale in the study. Frequency, arithmetic mean, minimum and maximum, correlation analysis t test in the independent groups, 1-way analysis of variance, Mann-Whitney U test, and Kruskal-Wallis test have been used in the analysis of the data. This study aligns with the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology checklist.

RESULTS

It is determined that the mean age of the nurses is 28.35 ± 6.19 years, and the age range is between 20 and 47 years. It is determined that there is a statistically significant positive relationship between "self-improving humor" and "participatory humor," which are among the harmonious/positive humor styles of the nurses, and the total Psychological Well-Being Scale score (P < .05). It is determined that there is a statistically significant negative relationship between "aggressive humor," which is one of the inharmonious/negative humor styles, and the total Psychological Well-Being Scale score (P < .05).

DISCUSSION

The results support that nurses' use of self-enhancing and participatory humor contributes to psychological well-being.

Being a health care professional in the ICU serving patients with covid-19: A qualitative study

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic has placed a great deal of strain on healthcare providers across the world. There has been no research into the experiences of health care providers in Turkey caring for hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in the ICU.

OBJECTIVES

To explain the experiences of health care providers who provide services to patients with Covid-19 in an intensive care unit.

METHODS

This study used a phenomenological approach to recruit 15 participants (10 nurses and 5 physicians). The data was gathered through semi-structured in-depth interviews conducted face-to-face.

RESULTS

The four primary themes that came up in the results were COVID-19: the unidentified enemy, front-line struggle, psychological struggle, and invasion of social life.

CONCLUSION

During the epidemic, health care providers encountered several psychological, physical, social, and professional difficulties. All health care personnel must receive information and skills training on what to do in crisis and risk circumstances such as infectious disease, decision-making, anxiety management, and problem-solving during pandemics.

Anxiety and work overload perception levels of primary healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has greatly affected healthcare workers at the physical and psychosocial level. In this process, primary healthcare workers have taken the most active role by taking part in the filiation groups.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine the anxiety and workload perception level of primary healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study. An online survey was conducted among 197 healthcare workers. Personal Information Form, the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale and Work Overload Scale were used as data collection tools in the research. Independent Two-Sample T-Test, One-Way Analysis of Variance, Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal Wallis test were used to evaluate the data. Moreover, the relationships between the scales were evaluated with Pearson correlation analysis and simple regression analysis.

RESULTS

The median total score of the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale of healthcare workers was 3.0, and the mean score of the Work Overload Scale was 37.89±7.47. It was found that there was a correlation between the Coronavirus Anxiety and the Work Overload Scales and 21.0% of the variance changes in the Work Overload Scale were affected by coronavirus anxiety.

CONCLUSION

It was determined that the level of coronavirus anxiety affects the perception of workload. Therefore, it is recommended that work plans should be made considering this situation.

Determination of COVID-19 Phobia Level in Health Care Workers

The aim of this study is to determine the COVID-19 phobia level in healthcare workers. The socio-demographic characteristics form and the Coronavirus 19 Phobia (CP19-S) Scale were used as data collection tools. The surveys were shared online on social media. 467 healthcare workers who agreed to participate in the study were reached. Employees who got 55.30 ± 14.64 points from the scale total scores and university graduates were found to have an average of 55.51 ± 14.11, and their families averaged 57.84 ± 15.05. As a result, it was determined that the COVID-19 phobia levels of healthcare workers were affected by situations such as gender, education level and elderly family members. In this case, the importance of determining the working areas of healthcare professionals according to their phobia levels is emphasized, as it will affect the quality of care given to patients during the pandemic process.

Experiences, emotions, and expectations of nurse mothers during the COVID-19 process

PURPOSE

This study was designed to investigate the life experiences, emotions, and expectations of nurse mothers (NMs) during the COVID-19 process.

DESIGN AND METHODS

A phenomenological approach was used in this qualitative research. The study was carried out with 18 nurses who worked in a hospital, had at least one child in the 0-18 age group, and agreed to participate in the study. Study data were collected through individual in-depth interviews and analyzed by using the content analysis method.

RESULTS

The analysis of the findings related to the experiences, emotions, and expectations of NMs during the COVID-19 process yielded three main themes, namely, difficulties experienced, emotions experienced, and coping.

CONCLUSIONS

Nurse mothers should be supported mentally during the pandemic period so that they can maintain a healthier relationship with their children.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

When we consider that NMs have experienced negative emotions in the COVID-19 period, investigation of the problems they have experienced during the pandemic, and the situation they have been in and the development of strategies and coping methods to better manage the process will support NMs.

Being a Nurse During a Worldwide Pandemic: A Qualitative Study Exploring Nurses' Perceived Challenges and Expectations During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Turkey

BACKGROUND

Determining the health-care experiences, problems, and difficulties of nurses during a pandemic is important to shape the measures of nursing care management. This study aimed to better understand clinical nurses' challenges and expectations surrounding coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

METHODS

A qualitative study with semi-structured interviews was conducted. The study sampling comprised of 48 clinical nurses who have worked in pandemic hospitals. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and evaluated based on the content analysis method.

RESULTS

In this study, 6 main themes were determined as intrapersonal, interpersonal, institutional/organizational, community, policies and system challenges, and expectations. Based on the results, nurses' perceived challenges were psychological distress, dilemma, safety and security issues, workload increased, disruption in family and social relationships, stigmatization encountered, and not making their voices heard enough due to the lack of nurses in the scientific advisory board. Nurses' expectations were determined as improvement of their personal rights and institutional psychosocial support.

DISCUSSION

The results of this study can be used as a guide for action plans to support nurses, develop health-care protocols for safe patient care, and create family and pandemic support systems.

Family relationship of nurses in COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study

BACKGROUND

This research demonstrates that nurses feel pain because the pandemic process has separated them from their family and children.

AIM

To examine the family relationship situation of nurses in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

METHODS

The research adopted a descriptive qualitative design. Participants were selected by the snowball method. An individual in-depth interview technique was used while the participants were away. In-depth interviews were made with a total of 27 nurses. Nine of these nurses were excluded from the study due to communication problems and device problems during the interview.

RESULTS

This research showed that nurses suffered from family relationship breakdown and insufficiency in intrafamilial coping. The nurses stayed away from their families due to overtime and fear of COVID-19. They cannot meet the needs of their children and spouses for whom they are responsible, and they cannot spare time for them. They were living a tiring life with great responsibility and faced with mental problems such as burnout syndrome and depression. This study was conducted in three cities with a high number of COVID-19 cases in Turkey. We investigated three themes: Breakdown in continuity of intrafamilial relationship, ineffectiveness in role performance, and ineffective individual coping.

CONCLUSION

The nurses suffer from conditions such as change in parent-infant/child relation and insufficiency in intrafamilial process coping.

The Mediating Role of Resilience in the Effect of Perceived Social Support on Fear of COVID-19: A Research on Healthcare Employees

The aim of this research was to determine the mediating role of resilience in the effect of perceived social support on fear of COVID-19. The research was conducted in the Marmara region of Turkey in July and August 2020. The present research showed that the perceived social support has a positive effect on resilience. Furthermore, the research determined that both perceived social support and resilience has a negative effect on the fear of COVID-19. Finally, it was determined that resilience has a mediating role in the effect of perceived social support on the fear of COVID-19.

Mental well-being and social support perceptions of nurses working in a Covid-19 pandemic hospital

PURPOSE

This study was conducted to determine the mental well-being and social support perceptions of nurses working in a Covid-19 pandemic hospital.

DESIGN AND METHODS

This study used a cross sectional design. The sample included 333 volunteer nurses.

FINDINGS

Based on the marital and income statuses of the nurses, there was a significant difference between the multidimensional scale of perceived social support family subscale (p < 0.05). There was a positive, weakly significant relationship between the nurses' mental well-being and their perception of social support (r = 0.381; p < 0.05).

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

In conclusion, protective measures must be increased and social networks must be promoted to increase the mental well-being and social support levels of nurses.

Work-Life Balance and Mental Health Needs of Health Professionals During COVID-19 Pandemic in Turkey

Health professionals constitute a group that is at a high risk of COVID-19. They have been found to experience difficulties in many issues, one of which is that they face the risk of infecting themselves and others due to interaction with high-risk patients. The present study investigates how demographical and individual factors and work addiction affected work-life balance and mental health needs of health professionals. The data of the present study were collected in the first wave of pandemic. The hypothesized structural equation model was rejected based on the fit indices. The second analysis of modified model was significant and indicated that whether health professionals live alone or with others such as family members had direct effects on work addiction, indirect effects on work-life balance, and needs for mental health. In addition, gender and working hours had direct effects on work-life balance. The highest effect on work-life balance was caused by work addiction. Moreover, work addiction had a moderate effect on mental health needs. As a result, the current study showed that work-life balance, work addiction, and the need for mental health were affected during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The effect of Covid-19 on sleep quality, anxiety and depression on healthcare staff at a tertiary hospital in Turkey

BACKGROUND

The Covid-19 pandemic has forced healthcare staff into an unprecedented situation, such as making tough decisions and practising under enormous pressure.

AIM

This study was designed to investigate the effect of Covid-19 on sleep quality, anxiety and depression in healthcare staff at a tertiary hospital.

METHODS

This descriptive and cross-sectional study recruited healthcare staff working at a tertiary hospital. Those who had given their informed consent participated in this study between April 17 and May 17, 2020. Data were collected using the introductory information form, the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS). The data were then analyzed on the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) v.24.

RESULTS

The mean scores of the respondents derived from the HADS-Anxiety (HADS-A) and HADS-Depression (HADS-D) scales were 7.89 ± 4.60 and 7.22 ± 4.13, respectively. Their depression levels were established to be at risk, though their anxiety levels were not. The mean PSQI score turned out to be 8.42 ± 2.30 for the participants, most of whom (92.9%) experienced poor sleep quality. Total sleep quality of the respondents exhibited a moderate positive correlation with HADS-A scores and a weak positive correlation with HADS-D scores (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Our major conclusion from the collected data is that healthcare staff suffered from poor sleep quality, and that their depression levels, but not anxiety levels, were at risk. Providing appropriate information about the health care of patients diagnosed with Covid-19 as well as offering regular psychoeducation-psychological support services and resting areas can reduce the susceptibility of healthcare staff to anxiety and depression and improve their overall sleep quality.

Mental status of nursing students assessed using the general health questionnaire during the COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study is to determine the mental state of nursing students when the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Turkish population reached its peak.

DESIGN AND METHODS

This cross-sectional study was remotely conducted using General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12) and personnel information form, for 2630 nursing students, in Turkey. Data were statistically analyzed.

FINDINGS

The mean GHQ-12 score was 3.04 ± 2.13, and 71.5% of nursing students scored ≥2 on the GHQ-12, indicating risk for mental problems. We highlighted that nursing students who reported less sleep and diet during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as those who thought they were suffering from COVID-19 symptoms obtained significantly higher mean scores on the GHQ-12.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Our results showed that most nursing students reported mental problems during the COVID-19 pandemic. Pre-training of the frontline staff during outbreaks is needed to prepare them to deal with a global pandemic.

The Relationship Between Psychological Resilience and Stress Perception in Nurses in Turkey During the COVID-19 Pandemic

BACKGROUND

In Turkey, nurses are responsible for the treatment and care of patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and for tracing their contacts. Healthcare professionals exposed to COVID-19 face high levels of stress.

PURPOSE

This study was designed to determine the influence of psychological resilience and several sociodemographic and professional characteristics on stress perception in nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

A cross-sectional design was used in this study, which was conducted between June 16 and 29, 2020. Two hundred one nurses living in Turkey were enrolled as participants. Data were collected using an information form, the Perceived Stress Scale, and the Brief Psychological Strength Scale. This study aligns with the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology Checklist.

RESULTS

According to the results of the multivariate linear regression analysis, the psychological resilience score of the participants accounted for 25.2% of the variance related to stress perception (p < .05). However, several of the demographic and professional characteristics considered in this study were not found to statistically significantly influence stress perception (p > .05).

CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

The findings support that psychological resilience is significant in explaining perception of stress in nurses in Turkey. Interventions targeting psychological resilience are needed to reduce nurses' stress perceptions.

The relationship of nurses' psychological well-being with their coronaphobia and work-life balance during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to determine the relationship of nurses' psychological well-being with their coronaphobia and work-life balance during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND

COVID-19 is a global life-threatening disease. The COVID-19 pandemic negatively affects nurses' mental health. No studies have been conducted to determine the factors that affect nurses' psychological well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey. If nurses' psychological well-being is impaired during the COVID-19 pandemic, the quality of nursing care and the nurses' performance may be negatively affected.

DESIGN

This is a descriptive, correlational and cross-sectional study. The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) reporting guideline checklist for cross-sectional studies was used for reporting in this study.

METHODS

The study population consisted of the nurses working in a Health Application and Research Center in Turkey. Data were collected using Google forms between June-August 2020. The study sample consisted of 295 nurses who voluntarily agreed to participate in the study and used social media tools. The data were collected using a Sociodemographic Characteristics Form, the COVID-19 Phobia Scale (C19P-S), the Work-Life Balance (WLB) Scale and the Psychological Well-Being (PWB) Scale. The factors that affect psychological well-being were determined using the stepwise multiple linear regression analysis.

RESULTS

The nurses' work-life balance and psychological well-being were negatively affected during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their COVID-19 phobia was mild-to-moderate level. The nurses' psychological well-being was significantly affected by the variable of neglecting life the most, followed by coronaphobia and work-life balance, which explain 75% of the variance.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that coronaphobia experienced by nurses and work-life balance was related to their psychological well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. Managers should take measures (regulating the working hours) to decrease nurses' COVID-19 phobia (education, counselling or psychotherapy) and work-life imbalance.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Nurses' peers, managers and organisations need to take into account nurses' negative emotions and behaviours and organise training programmes to help them overcome their fears, communicate clearly and provide for their basic needs. Organisations, including managers and nurses, must recognise the distress being experienced by their nurses and create safe environments in which to have significant conversations. Nurses' mental health can be screened regularly by multidisciplinary teams, psychological support can be provided when required, and working hours can be regulated through appropriate shifts and breaks that will ensure work-life balance during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Nurses receiving emotional support from their families and friends (via chatting and sharing troubles) can also contribute positively. These measures and regulations will positively affect nurses' psychological well-being and contribute to an increase in the quality of care and nurses' performance.

Problems Experienced by Family Physicians in Sivas during the Pandemic Period and Its Relationship with COVID-19 Fear

Aim: To determine the COVID-19 fear level of family physicians during the pandemic working in Sivas and its relationship to their experienced problems. Methods: This descriptive study was delivered to 225 family physicians in Sivas between December-January 2021 via an online survey containing 24 questions of participants' sociodemographic data, the problems they experienced in family medicine, and the COVID-19 Fear Scale. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis were used to analyze thedata. Results: A total of 138 family physicians whose mean age was 37.6±7.3, with 52.2 % males and 47.8% females, included. Participants’ 16.7% had the COVID-19 infection. COVID-19 Fear Scale mean score of 18.3±6.5, appearing significantly higher in females (19.6±5.8) than in males (17.2±6.9). 28.3% of subjects needed taking professional psychological support, on which increase of working period in family medicine and COVID-19 Fear Scale Score and being single had a positive effect. Also, 86.2% experienced primary health care services problems, most frequently ranked as cancer screening, mobile service, and chronic illness follow-up. Conclusion: Necessary psychosocial support should be provided to all healthcare workers, especially family physicians, during the pandemic. So, we recommend authorities take proper precautions to continue without interruption for primary preventive health services. Keywords: COVID-19, fear, family practice, COVID-19, fear, primary care physicians

Exploring anxiety levels in healthcare workers during COVID-19 pandemic: Turkey sample

As in the whole world, the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic poses many threats to healthcare workers in our country too, which leads to anxiety in healthcare workers. This study was conducted to explore the anxiety levels of healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study is a cross-sectional study. The population consisted of health care workers employed in hospitals in seven regions in Turkey. All volunteer healthcare workers were included in the study, and 356 healthcare workers responded to the questionnaire. The data were collected using the State Anxiety Inventory and a questionnaire created by the researchers using an online questionnaire between 10 May 2020 and 15 May 2020. In the evaluation of the data, mean, standard deviation, percentages, t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression analysis were used. 33% of healthcare workers did not have anxiety, 50% had mild, and 17% had severe anxiety. The anxiety scores of those who were nurses (p < 0.001), who were working in the emergency room (p < 0.001), who were involved in treatment for COVID-19 patients (p = 0.040), who left their homes to prevent transmission to their families and relatives during the pandemic (p = 0.038), and whose working hours had changed (p = 0.036) were found to be significantly higher. It was observed that there was a positive and significant relationship between the fear of death and disease transmission, uncertainty, loneliness, anger, and hopelessness, and anxiety levels in healthcare workers. The main factors that significantly affected the anxiety levels of healthcare workers were male gender, weekly working hours, the presence of chronic diseases, and feelings of anger and uncertainty. In conclusion, during the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare workers experienced some negative emotions, their anxiety levels increased, and they were psychologically affected. Planning psychosocial interventions for healthcare workers in the high-risk group will make significant contributions to the health system.