A comparative study of old versus novel psychoactive substances on craving, perceived stigma and suicidal risk among rural-dwelling patients with substance abuse

WHAT IS KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT?: According to recent estimates, 10.4% of adults are patients with substance abuse, which is almost double the global rate. Rural areas are typically marginalized, compounded by a lack of access to mental health care, creating a startling disparity in suffering from drug use issues among rural cohorts. WHAT THE PAPER ADDS TO EXISTING KNOWLEDGE?: Drawing on data from a descriptive comparative design would provide a distinctive picture related to the similarities and/or differences in relation to craving and how it affects perceived stigma and suicidal risk among patients using old versus novel psychoactive substances. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE?: Substance abuse is a leading public health concern that forces nurses to encompass it into their agendas to tackle this looming problem. Addiction rehabilitation services are frequently run by nurses. They are well-versed in supporting patients during their journey to recovery and enabling them to adjust to a new lifestyle.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Substance use disorder is a leading public health concern that currently, nations regulatory agencies are grappled with. The noticeable difference in the chemical structures between old and novel psychoactive substances can result in significant clinical complications among patients with substance abuse.

AIM

The study aims to compare substance craving, perceived stigma and suicidal risk among patients addicted to old and novel psychoactive substances (NPS).

METHOD

A descriptive comparative design was adopted on a sample of 105 patients with substance use who completed The Penn Alcohol Craving Scale (PACS), The Perceived Stigma of Addiction Scale (PSAS) and Suicide Probability Scale (SPS).

DISCUSSION

Most participants were male, with 89.5% in the old addictive substance group and 93.8% in the new addictive substance group. A statistically significant difference in the NPS groups' perceptions of stigma (23.4 ± 5.3) compared to the old addictive substance group (20.6 ± 4.2), (t = 3.037, p = .003).

IMPLICATION FOR PRACTICE

Participants in the new substance group report more suicidal ideation, negative self-evaluation and hostility than those in the old substance group. Policies and practices should be tailored to the type of drug used and potential risk factors to avoid suicide among patients with substance abuse.

Cognitive flexibility's role in shaping self-perception of aging, body appreciation, and self-efficacy among community-dwelling older women

BACKGROUND

Cognitive flexibility, the capacity to adjust to new information, affects how aging is perceived. In Egyptian culture, older women's views on aging are shaped by societal gender roles and expectations. These views influence their body image and belief in their abilities, all melded by cultural standards and values.

AIM

Investigate the mediating role of cognitive flexibility in the relationship between self-aging perception, body appreciation, and self-efficacy among community-dwelling older women.

METHODS

A correlational analytical design was used on 200 women aged 60 years or older using the Cognitive Flexibility Inventory, Self-Perceptions of Aging, General Self-Efficacy Scale, and Body Appreciation Scales. Structural equation modeling was used in the analysis.

RESULTS

The study found that cognitive flexibility is positively related to self-perception of aging and body appreciation and is also significantly related to general self-efficacy. However, no significant relationship was found between body appreciation and general self-efficacy. Additionally, the study found that cognitive flexibility partially mediates the relationship between self-perception of aging and body appreciation and fully mediates the relationship between body appreciation and self-efficacy.

CONCLUSION

Cognitive flexibility is vital in the relationships between self-perceptions of aging, body appreciation, and self-efficacy among older women. Therefore, nursing interventions targeting cognitive flexibility are recommended to promote positive self-aging perceptions, body appreciation, and self-efficacy in this population.

The relationship between organizational dehumanization and work engagement: the mediating effect of nurses' work stress

BACKGROUND

Organizational dehumanization has detrimental consequences for nurses' wellbeing and leads to a stressful work environment. Moreover, it is very destructive to work engagement.

AIM

To examine the mediating role of nurses' work stress between organizational dehumanization and work engagement.

METHOD

A cross-sectional research design was conducted with 245 staff nurses over a one-month period. The researchers used structured equation modeling.

RESULTS

Work engagement and organizational dehumanization levels were both moderate. In addition, the degree of job stress among the nurses was moderate, too. The results of the structural equation modeling showed that the association between organizational dehumanization and job engagement is partially mediated by work stress.

CONCLUSIONS

For staff nurses to exhibit high levels of caring behaviors, this study emphasized the need to establish a work environment that employs tactics to improve workplace engagement and happiness. In addition to changing the organizational culture of nurses to eradicate organizational dehumanization and pressures related to the job.

Hooked on technology: examining the co-occurrence of nomophobia and impulsive sensation seeking among nursing students

BACKGROUND

Nomophobia, the crippling fear of being disconnected from mobile devices, is a burgeoning global concern. Given the critical nature of the profession of nursing students, understanding nomophobia's prevalence and potential impacts on patient care and professional conductors becomes even more crucial.

AIM

This study explores the relationship between nomophobia and impulsive sensation-seeking among nursing students in Egypt.

DESIGN AND METHODS

A multicenter cross-sectional survey was conducted with 1626 nursing students randomly selected from three universities across Egypt.

TOOLS

The Arabic versions of the Nomophobia and Impulsive Sensation Seeking Questionnaires were employed to gather data.

RESULTS

Our findings revealed that 40.3% of the surveyed nursing students exhibited severe nomophobia, indicating a substantial dependence on their mobile devices. Notably, this high prevalence was accompanied by a strong tendency towards impulsive sensation-seeking behaviors. Furthermore, a stepwise regression analysis identified several significant predictors of nomophobia (p < 0.001). Impulsive sensation-seeking, year of study, average daily smartphone usage, and age emerged as key factors, explaining 27.5% of the variability in nomophobia scores.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of nomophobia among Egyptian nursing students is undeniable, highlighting their substantial reliance on mobile devices. A significant association with impulsive sensation-seeking behavior further compounds this dependence. Factors such as impulsive sensation seeking, year of study, average daily smartphone usage, and age were identified as significant predictors of nomophobia. Recognizing these factors as key predictors of nomophobia is crucial for designing effective interventions and psychotherapies. Prioritizing such interventions can promote future nurses' well-being and ensure they deliver the highest quality care to their patients.

The feasibility of motivational interviewing on adherence to care practices, emotional intelligence, and dispositional optimism among patients with permanent pacemakers

AIMS

Motivational interviewing (MI) has been recognized as highly effective for treating chronic diseases and various conditions, with encouraging results demonstrating its effectiveness in promoting health behaviour change. The current study was proposed to evaluate the feasibility of MI on adherence to care practices, emotional intelligence (EI), and dispositional optimism among patients with permanent pacemakers.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This study was a parallel arm randomized controlled trial. Seventy clients with permanent pacemakers were randomly allocated to a six-session MI intervention (n = 35) or a waiting list control group (n = 35). A statistically significant improvement in the mean scores of adherence to care practices, EI, and dispositional optimism, along with a significant reduction in pessimism, was registered among the study group compared with the control group.

CONCLUSION

Following the intervention for 1- and 2-month follow-up measurements, there were statistically significant improvements in self-care practice adherence. After 1 month of intervention, there were statistically significant gains in EI and dispositional optimism, but at the 2-month follow-up measurement, this improvement had somewhat lessened. The findings suggest that MI may be a feasible and practical approach for improving adherence to care practices, EI, and dispositional optimism in patients with permanent pacemakers.

REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05883514.

Effectiveness of psycho-educational program on climate change distress and risk perception among older adults

BACKGROUND

Climate change is a global environmental phenomenon that affects human health. It has a negative impact on the health and well-being of older adults. Therefore, educating older adults about coping with climate change and providing psychological interventions could promote successful aging.

AIM

To determine the effectiveness of psycho-educational program on climate change distress and risk perception among older adults.

METHODS

A quasi-experimental research design, "pre-test and post-test was followed. The study used the Climate Change Distress, the Impairment Scale, and the Risk Perception Scale. Data were collected from 80 older adults aged 60 years and above at three elderly clubs in Damanhour City, El-Behaira Governorate, Egypt.

RESULTS

The difference in mean severity of climate change distress, impairment, and risk perception scores between the study and control groups after the psycho-educational program was statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

Psycho-educational interventions can reduce climate change distress and impairment among older adults and increase their risk perception.

Effect of Immersive Virtual Reality Reminiscence versus Traditional Reminiscence Therapy on Cognitive Function and Psychological Well-being among Older Adults in Assisted Living Facilities: A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Virtual reality (VR) reminiscence is an innovative strategy that integrates technology into the care of older adults. Limited research was conducted to compare the role of VR reminiscence and traditional RT in improving older adults' cognitive and psychological well-being.

AIM

Investigate the effect of virtual reality reminiscence versus traditional reminiscence therapy on cognitive function and psychological well-being among older adults in assisted living facilities.

METHODS

A randomized controlled trial research design was followed. Sixty older adults were recruited and randomly assigned to three equal groups (20 older adults for each group).

RESULTS

Post interventions, a significant increase in the mean scores of cognitive function and psychological well-being was evident among the VR and RT groups with statistically significant differences (P <0.05) compared with pre-intervention and the control group.

CONCLUSION

Application of VR reminiscence or traditional RT is efficacious in improving cognitive function and psychological well-being among institutionalized older adults.

Effect of hand reflexology in ameliorating anxiety, pain, and fatigue among patients undergoing coronary angiography

BACKGROUND

Reflexology is a popular non-invasive complementary medicine technique to enhance anxiety, pain, and fatigue among patients undergoing coronary angiography.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the effect of hand reflexology in ameliorating anxiety, pain, and fatigue among patients undergoing coronary angiography.

METHODS

A quasi-experimental research design was used on 60 patients undergoing coronary angiography at Alexandria Main University Hospital's cardiology department (30 patients in each study and control group). Four tools were used to collect data: the socio-demographic and clinical data assessment sheet, the visual analogue scale, the Rhoten fatigue scale, and the Beck anxiety inventory.

RESULTS

Scores of moderate anxiety, intractable pain, and severe fatigue among the study group significantly decreased after 2 h and three days of applying hand reflexology.

CONCLUSION

The current study findings showed that hand reflexology is a simple, non-invasive nursing intervention that is effective and useful for managing pain, fatigue, and anxiety in patients undergoing coronary angiography as it resulted in a significant reduction in the severity of pain, fatigue, and anxiety after coronary angiography in the study group compared to the control group.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The study was registered in the clinical trial.gov database (Clinicaltrials.gov NCT05887362 , 23/05/2023).

Impact of resilience-based intervention on emotional regulation, grit and life satisfaction among female Egyptian and Saudi nursing students: A randomized controlled trial

AIM

Evaluate and compare the impact of a resilience-based intervention on emotional regulation, grit and life satisfaction among female Egyptian and Saudi nursing students.

BACKGROUND

Nursing students should experience a comprehensive learning environment since they are mind-body-spirit creatures. Therefore, nursing education should emphasize growing students' physical, social, emotional and spiritual well-being in addition to their knowledge, skills and attitudes.

DESIGN

This study followed a parallel arm randomized controlled trial design. Study participants were randomly assigned to the intervention or control groups in a (1:1) ratio. It was conducted between January 2023 and the end of April 2023.

METHOD

Students were randomly allocated to the eight-week resilience intervention (n= 60) or a control (n= 60) group (half of the students in each group were from each country). The intervention group received a pamphlet and attended eight weekly 15-person sessions on resilience, grit (perseverance), emotional regulation and self-care. The Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, the Short Grit Scale and the Satisfaction with Life Scales were administered pre- and immediately post-intervention.

RESULTS

Between pre- and post-intervention, there were significant improvements in grit (from 41.374.27 to 51.235.22 among Egyptian students with an effect size of 0.663 and from 42.974.30 to 54.103.87 among Saudi students with an effect size of 0.800), as well as mean emotional regulation (from 36.635.11 to 55.707.51 among Egyptian students with an effect size of 0.818 and from 44.606.87 to 61. With a substantial effect size of 0.850 (p0.001), Egyptian nursing students experienced a more significant rise in mean life satisfaction than Saudi nursing students (18.336.54 to 29.305.14).

CONCLUSION

Resilience-based interventions enhanced emotional regulation, grit and life satisfaction in Egyptian and Saudi female nursing students. Grit, resilience and emotional regulation should be incorporated into nurse training to equip female students with the necessary values and protective factors to succeed in their studies. Given the unique challenges and stressors that female nursing students may face, nursing programs and institutions must provide resources and support services to help students manage stress and build resilience.

Relationship between craving to drugs, emotional manipulation and interoceptive awareness for social acceptance: the addictive perspective

BACKGROUND

Drug addiction (DA) is a global psychiatric worldwide problem. Patients with substance use disorder are more likely to use the numerous defenses at their disposal to control their surroundings emotionally. This could virtually cause a tidal wave of social rejection of them in the community. The study aims to investigate drug craving, emotional manipulation, and interoceptive awareness for social acceptance among patients with substance use disorder.

METHODS

This study followed a descriptive correlational design on a sample of 110 patients with substance use disorder who were recruited to complete the Penn Alcohol Craving Scale, the Emotion Manipulation Questionnaire, and the Perceived Acceptance Scale.

RESULTS

Most respondents recorded high levels of PACS and emotional manipulation ability. A highly positive and significant correlation was found between scores on emotional manipulation ability and PACS.

CONCLUSION

Craving for drugs was a significant predictor of emotional manipulation ability. Incorporation of effective nursing interventions to enable patients with substance use disorder to engage in self-reflection related to how their cravings for drugs may lead them to prioritize their needs over others.

Harnessing Artificial Intelligence: Strategies for Mental Health Nurses in Optimizing Psychiatric Patient Care

This narrative review explores the transformative impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on mental health nursing, particularly in enhancing psychiatric patient care. AI technologies present new strategies for early detection, risk assessment, and improving treatment adherence in mental health. They also facilitate remote patient monitoring, bridge geographical gaps, and support clinical decision-making. The evolution of virtual mental health assistants and AI-enhanced therapeutic interventions are also discussed. These technological advancements reshape the nurse-patient interactions while ensuring personalized, efficient, and high-quality care. The review also addresses AI's ethical and responsible use in mental health nursing, emphasizing patient privacy, data security, and the balance between human interaction and AI tools. As AI applications in mental health care continue to evolve, this review encourages continued innovation while advocating for responsible implementation, thereby optimally leveraging the potential of AI in mental health nursing.

The Effect of Distress Tolerance Training on Problematic Internet Use and Psychological Wellbeing Among Faculty Nursing Students: A Randomized Control Trial

Background

Distress tolerance skills have the potential to decrease problematic internet use and improve psychological wellbeing by cognitive reframing and goal-oriented problem-solving.

Aim

To assess the impact of distress tolerance training on problematic internet use and psychological wellbeing among university nursing students.

Methods

A randomized control trial used at the faculty of nursing using simple random sampling method. Tools: Distress Tolerance Scale, problematic internet use questionnaire, and Ryff psychological wellbeing scale. Data were collected from 60 nursing students over a period of 4 months.

Results

Distress tolerance level was increased among study group from 20.75±14.29 to 72.75±24.09 and sustained for 3 months to 62.44 ±20.77 with statistically significant (f=7.090, p=0.006) and large effect size 0.75. When compared to no change among the control group as mean scare start by 22.35±14.29 to 23.44±16.09 and after 3 months to 21.75± 17.44 with insignificant difference (f=0.454, p=0.574). The mean score of problematic internet use shows highly statistically significant decrement in the study group between three period of time (pretest= 62.93, immediately post= 52.13, and post 3 months=52.70) with large effect size 0.78 (f=95.029, p<0.001), in compared to control group that showed insignificant no changes (pretest= 64.0±14.54, immediately post= 63.13±12.87, and post 3 months=63.53±11.36) with (f=1.012, p=0.332). In addition, the total mean score of psychological well-being was increased immediately after therapy and later for three months of therapy (pretest= 128.47, immediately post=148.77, and post 3 months= 153.60) with highly statistically significant (f=41.197, p<0.001) with effect size 0.85, compared to no change among control group (pretest=125.97±32.58, immediately post= 126.23±30.86, and post 3 months=126.43±29.78) with (f=0.208, p=0.698).

Conclusion

Efficacy of distress tolerance skills intervention had been proven in altering poor psychological wellbeing among students with problematic internet use. It helps students to learn new skills and use more adaptive strategies to overcome distress tolerance difficulties.

Mediating role of weight concerns in the relationship between seasonality and eating behavior among community-dwelling older adults: A path analysis

BACKGROUND

Weight concerns are common among older adults, and it is unclear how they may impact the relationship between seasonality and eating behaviors, which can contribute to various health-related issues.

AIM

This study investigated the mediating role of weight concerns in the relationship between seasonality and eating behavior among community-dwelling older adults.

METHOD

A descriptive correlational analytical design was used on 200 randomly chosen participants who completed the Personal Inventory for Depression and Seasonal Affective Disorder Self-Assessment Version, the Adult Eating Behavior Questionnaire, and the Weight Concern Subscale. A path analysis was conducted to test the hypothesized model.

RESULTS

The study findings indicated that most older adults reported moderate-to-severe seasonal variations, moderate enjoyment of food, emotional overeating, emotional undereating, and food fussiness. Weight concern partially mediated the relationship between seasonality and eating behavior.

CONCLUSION

By understanding the complex interplay between these factors, weight concerns may play an essential role in mediating the effects of seasonal changes on eating behavior, while seasonal winter symptoms may directly impact eating behavior. These results have potential implications for nurses' efforts to develop interventions to promote healthy eating behaviors and manage weight concerns during seasonal variations, especially in the winter.

Efficacy of acceptance and commitment therapy on impulsivity and suicidality among clients with bipolar disorders: a randomized control trial

BACKGROUND

Among people with bipolar disorders, there are high rates of impulsivity and suicide attempts. Efforts to reduce suicide are hindered by the lack of conclusive evidence on interventional programs for those at risk. Thus, this work evaluated the efficacy of acceptance and commitment therapy on impulsivity and suicidality among bipolar clients.

METHODS

In a randomized controlled trial, 30 eligible clients with bipolar disorders were given Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and 30 eligible clients for the control group were chosen randomly at a 1:1 ratio using Research Randomizer version 4.0. Clients completed the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire II, the Short Arabic Version of the Impulsivity Behavior Scale, and the Arabic Version of the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation.

RESULTS

It can be observed that there was a statistically significant decrement in the mean scores of psychological inflexibility among the study group between baseline value (T0), posttest measurement (T1), and post-two-month follow-up (T2), from 32.91 SD (6.03) to 23.06 SD (6.22) post and 26.83 SD (3.49) post-two months, with an effect size of 0.846 (P < 0.001), compared to the control group, which revealed an increase in the mean score. The overall impulsivity among the study group between T0, T1, and T2 was 61.27 SD (4.57) to 46.83 SD (4.47) post- and 43.0 SD (5.30) post-two months, with an effect size of 0.906 (P < 0.001). Compared to the control group, which revealed a relative increase in the mean impulsivity score at the post- and post-two-month intervals, the Arabic Versions of the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation Scale mean score before the intervention was 16.33 SD (6.08), then the post was 7.23 SD (4.72), and the post-two-month mean was 10.13 SD (5.49) with an effect size of 0.878 (P < 0.001) among the study group. On the other hand, mean scores of "suicide ideation" among clients in the control group increased posttest and nearly returned to the same value after two months.

CONCLUSION

For bipolar clients suffering from suicidal thoughts and impulsive behaviors, acceptance and commitment therapy, an emerging third-wave behavior therapy, is an effective intervention.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The study was registered retrospectively with reference number NCT05693389 on 23/1/2023, available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05693389 .

Spiritual leadership among nursing educators: a correlational cross-sectional study with psychological capital

BACKGROUND

Spiritual leadership is the most positive leadership style accepted by positive organizational behavior scholars that contributes to psychological capital. Spiritual leadership could be a critical organizational resource for followers. The study aims to examine the levels of spiritual leadership and psychological capital among nursing educators and determine the relationship between spiritual leadership and psychological capital among nurse educators.

METHODS

A cross-sectional design was applied using two tools: spiritual leadership and psychological capital scales. Over 3 months, data were collected from 213 nursing educators.

RESULTS

The spiritual leadership level is moderate to high (49.8 and 38.5%). The psychological capital level is high (63.4%). The association between spiritual leadership and psychological capital is a strong, positive, and highly significant correlation (R-value = 0.63, P = 0.001). The regression analysis predicted that male participants were expected to have more spiritual leadership and psychological capital than females.

CONCLUSION

It can be concluded and validated how important it is to develop and practice spiritual leadership to foster followers' psychological capital.

IMPLICATIONS OF NURSING MANAGEMENT

as nursing leaders must have spiritual competencies to promote workplace spirituality on the daily agenda as a foundational area in management.