Showing papers in "Issues in Mental Health Nursing in 2014"
TL;DR: An overview of religion and spirituality as they relate to the neurobiology of resilience in victims of childhood trauma and faith-based communities is provided.
Abstract: Trauma is a precursor to many mental health conditions that greatly impact victims, their loved ones, and society. Studies indicate that neurobiological associations with adverse childhood experiences are mediated by interpersonal relationships and play a role in adult behavior, often leading to cycles of intergenerational trauma. There is a critical need to identify cost effective community resources that optimize stress resilience. Faith-based communities may promote forgiveness rather than retaliation, opportunities for cathartic emotional release, and social support, all of which have been related to neurobiology, behavior, and health outcomes. While spirituality and religion can be related to guilt, neurotic, and psychotic disorders, they also can be powerful sources of hope, meaning, peace, comfort, and forgiveness for the self and others. This article provides an overview of religion and spirituality as they relate to the neurobiology of resilience in victims of childhood trauma.
102 citations
TL;DR: Canadian nurse educators Lorraine M. Wright and Maureen Leahey, both Canadian nurse educators, collaborated for over 30 years to release the sixth edition of their book Nurses and Families.
Abstract: Lorraine M. Wright, RN, PhD, and Maureen Leahey, RN, PhD, both Canadian nurse educators, collaborated for over 30 years to release the sixth edition of their book Nurses and Families. The first edi...
90 citations
TL;DR: The results indicate that PTSD is the most-studied psychosocial impact after a disaster and mental health nurses have a significant role to play in supporting survivors and can assist with the development of resilience in community members.
Abstract: The aim of this review was to identify the psychosocial impact of natural disasters on adult (over the age of 18 years) survivors. Databases searched included PsycInfo, CINAHL, Proquest, Ovid SP, Scopus, and Science Direct. The search was limited to articles written in English and published between 2002 and 2012. A total of 1,642 abstracts and articles were obtained during the first search; 39 articles were retained. The results indicate that PTSD is the most-studied psychosocial impact after a disaster. Mental health nurses have a significant role to play in supporting survivors and can assist with the development of resilience in community members.
77 citations
TL;DR: Understanding Bowen's theoretical concepts of family systems theory and applying these concepts to a family in therapy is facilitated.
Abstract: While nurse practitioners initially work with the identified patient, Murray Bowen maintains it is the reciprocal functioning of all the members of the family which contributes to the emotional intensity of the patient. The emotional symptoms of an individual are an expression of the emotional symptoms of the family, which are often embedded in patterns of behaviors from past generations. The purpose of this paper is to facilitate understanding Bowen's theoretical concepts of family systems theory and apply these concepts to a family in therapy.
75 citations
TL;DR: Results revealed that youth with higher levels of social connectedness and self-esteem reported lower levels of psychological distress andSelf-esteem remained significant for predicting better mental health.
Abstract: The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to explore social connectedness and self-esteem as predictors of resilience among homeless youth with histories of maltreatment. Connectedness variables included family connectedness, school connectedness, and affiliation with prosocial peers. The sample included 150 homeless youth aged 14 to 21 (mean age = 18 years) with the majority being an ethnic minority. Participants completed surveys using audio-CASI. Results revealed that youth with higher levels of social connectedness and self-esteem reported lower levels of psychological distress. When all predictor variables were controlled in the analysis, self-esteem remained significant for predicting better mental health.
70 citations
TL;DR: While healthcare employers need to provide better support services to the healthcare professionals who are assaulted, the legal system also needs to acknowledge that assaults against nurses are a violation of human rights and violence should not to be tolerated as part of working in mental healthcare settings.
Abstract: This paper describes psychiatric mental health nurses’ (PMHN) experiences of patient assaults within mental healthcare settings using a thematic analytical approach. The aim of the study was to explore and describe psychiatric mental health nurses’ experiences of patient assaults. The major findings of the study related to the nature and impact of assaults and supportive strategies associated with violence perpetrated by patients against psychiatric mental health nurses. Perpetrator risk factors for patients include mental health disorders, alcohol and drug use and the inability to deal with situational crises. The injuries sustained by nurses in the context of the study include lacerations, head injuries, dislocations and bruises. Psychological harm has also occurred, including quite severe mental health problems, such as post-traumatic stress disorder. Protective strategies for combating negative consequences of workplace violence include practice of self-defence, social support and a supportive and consultative workplace culture with access to counselling services and assistance in all aspects, including finances. The paper concludes that while healthcare employers need to provide better support services to the healthcare professionals who are assaulted, the legal system also needs to acknowledge that assaults against nurses are a violation of human rights and violence should not to be tolerated as part of working in mental healthcare settings.
69 citations
TL;DR: This critical literature review examines six recent studies on yoga as an intervention and focuses on yoga styles in which the practice of yoga poses, called asanas, is the core component.
Abstract: In the United States, the prevalence of depression is quite high-9% in the general population-with women, young adults, and seniors particularly vulnerable. In recent years, increasing numbers of people are turning to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for relief from depression and other mental health problems. One form of CAM, yoga, has been growing in popularity; this rise in popularity has, in part, been driven by interest in how this practice, with its mindfulness and meditation aspects, may decrease depression. This critical literature review examines six recent studies on yoga as an intervention; specifically, this review focuses on yoga styles in which the practice of yoga poses, called asanas, is the core component. Although the significant positive findings are promising, the studies had methodological limitations; identification of these limitations can inform future studies.
52 citations
TL;DR: Results show that nurses can identify recovery and articulate with pragmatic clarity how to care within a recovery-oriented paradigm and help with eventual system transformation in the delivery of mental health services.
Abstract: Australian mental health nurses will need to care with consumers of mental health services, within the domains of recovery. However, in acute inpatient mental health settings, nurses are without a clear description of how to be recovery-oriented. The intent of this qualitative study was to ask nurses to reflect on and describe current practice within acute inpatient services that are not overtly recovery-oriented. Results show that nurses can identify recovery and articulate with pragmatic clarity how to care within a recovery-oriented paradigm. Pragmatic modes of care described by nurses support using "champions" to assist with eventual system transformation in the delivery of mental health services.
50 citations
TL;DR: The need to reduce anxiety about mental illness is reconfirm by educational approaches that effectively prepare students for MHN, combined with challenging negative stereotypes.
Abstract: Increasing the rate of recruitment of nursing students into mental health nursing (MHN) is vital to long-term sustainability of health care system support for people diagnosed with mental illness. However MHN is not a popular career path; this raises questions about what attitudes and beliefs may divert or attract students to this specialisation. The current research involved a survey of undergraduate nursing students at a regional university in Australia to clarify the nature of relationships between attitudes (e.g., the value of mental health nursing, stereotypes of people with mental illness) and how they may be antecedents to considering MHN as a career path. Through a structural equation model, it was ascertained that anxiety surrounding mental illness leads to less interest in MHN as a future career and suggests that anxiety is (a) partly due to negative stereotypes, and (b) countered by preparedness for a MHN role. Beliefs on how MHN can make a valuable contribution to people's well-being did not affect interest in pursuing MHN. These findings reconfirm the need to reduce anxiety about mental illness by educational approaches that effectively prepare students for MHN, combined with challenging negative stereotypes.
50 citations
TL;DR: A theoretical study, focusing on the topic of spirituality, explores several related concepts, including forgiveness, flourishing, and resilience, as a basis for developing approaches to facilitate recovery in mental health clients using spiritual interventions.
Abstract: The relationships of spirituality, religion, and health have been the subject of research in a variety of disciplines over the past two decades. Findings have varied: Some findings appear to have strong evidence of relationships while other findings are deemed inconclusive. A few studies have distinguished between religion and spirituality, but most investigators have treated the two as one concept with no clear lines of distinction between them. This theoretical study, focusing on the topic of spirituality, explores several related concepts, including forgiveness, flourishing, and resilience, as a basis for developing approaches to facilitate recovery in mental health clients using spiritual interventions.
48 citations
TL;DR: Findings indicated adult daughter caregivers are at risk for compassion fatigue, supporting the need for a larger study exploring compassion fatigue in this population.
Abstract: Adult daughters face distinct challenges caring for parents with dementia and may experience compassion fatigue: the combination of helplessness, hopelessness, an inability to be empathic, and a sense of isolation resulting from prolonged exposure to perceived suffering. Prior research on compassion fatigue has focused on professional healthcare providers and has overlooked filial caregivers. This study attempts to identify and explore risk factors for compassion fatigue in adult daughter caregivers and to substantiate further study of compassion fatigue in family caregivers. We used content analysis of baseline interviews with 12 adult daughter caregivers of a parent with dementia who participated in a randomized trial of homecare training. Four themes were identified in adult daughter caregiver interviews: (a) uncertainty; (b) doubt; (c) attachment; and (d) strain. Findings indicated adult daughter caregivers are at risk for compassion fatigue, supporting the need for a larger study exploring compassion fatigue in this population.
TL;DR: The physiological, physical, and emotional consequences of trauma are highlighted and the unique experiences that affect veterans' mental health and associated behaviors are focused on.
Abstract: Veterans, as military personnel returning from wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, are frequently coping with various mental health problems. These veterans are at high risk for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and associated behavioral consequences, including self-harm, verbal and physical aggression, and violence. In this article, we highlight the physiological, physical, and emotional consequences of trauma. We focus on the unique experiences that affect veterans' mental health and associated behaviors and advocate for veterans to receive evidenced-based treatment using trauma-informed and recovery-oriented care.
TL;DR: Maternal sociodemographic measures, including race, ethnicity, age, maternal pregnancy history, and measures of infant medical severity were not helpful in differentiating mothers who screened positive on one or more of the measures from those who screened negative, so programs to screen parents of premature infants for the presence of symptoms of posttraumatic stress, anxiety, and depression will need to adopt universal screening.
Abstract: There are no established screening criteria to help identify mothers of premature infants who are at risk for symptoms of emotional distress. The current study, using data obtained from recruitment and screening in preparation for a randomized controlled trial, aimed to identify potential risk factors associated with symptoms of depression, anxiety and posttraumatic stress in a sample of mothers with premature infants hospitalized in a neonatal intensive care unit. One hundred, thirty-five mothers of preterm infants born at 26-34 weeks of gestation completed three self-report measures: the Stanford Acute Stress Reaction Questionnaire, the Beck Depression Inventory (2nd ed.), and the Beck Anxiety Inventory to determine their eligibility for inclusion in a treatment intervention study based on clinical cut-off scores for each measure. Maternal sociodemographic measures, including race, ethnicity, age, maternal pregnancy history, and measures of infant medical severity were not helpful in differentiating mothers who screened positive on one or more of the measures from those who screened negative. Programs to screen parents of premature infants for the presence of symptoms of posttraumatic stress, anxiety, and depression will need to adopt universal screening rather than profiling of potential high risk parents based on their sociodemographic characteristics or measures of their infant's medical severity.
TL;DR: This book is intended for readers looking for a complex analysis of inequity in nursing and introduces a broad-based, well needed paradigm with which to move cautiously along the path toward interprofessional development, without losing the caring, partnershipbased ethos of the nursing profession.
Abstract: Riane Eisler, JD, PhD(h), and Teddie M. Potter, PhD, RN, have teamed up to write this fascinating book that articulates nursing’s struggle to maintain a professional identity while hierarchical systems of domination de-value and disempower nursing work. Riane Eisler is internationally known for advocating for the human rights of women and children, and is the author of The Chalice and the Blade: Our History, Our Future (1987) and The Real Wealth of Nations: Creating a Caring Economics (2007). She now teaches in the Leadership graduate program at the California Institute of Integral Studies. Teddie M. Potter currently teaches in the School of Nursing at the University of Minnesota and oversees the department of Inclusivity and Diversity. This book is the result of her doctoral studies and dissertation which she completed in 2010. Interprofessional partnerships are a timely topic as changes in health care continue to unfold with the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. Coincidentally, nurses have been encouraged to follow guidelines outlined in the Institute of Medicine (IOM) report, The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health (2010), which includes a discussion of interprofessional partnership, education, and practice. Nursing discourse is beginning to grapple with the term interprofessional and what it really means for nurses. However, few nursing scholars directly confront the obvious barriers to interprofessionalism related to gender, race, or economics. Eisler and Potter construct a domination/partnership continuum that places nurses on the interprofessional map while describing novel concepts and communication techniques to use with physicians, institutions, and other power-wielding health care stakeholders. This is the first time I have seen issues of inequity brought clearly and succinctly to the forefront of the interprofessional dialogue within a context that makes sense for nurses. “Nurses have not been considered equal members of health care teams, and it will take concerted action, including changes in the education of nurses as well as other health care professionals, to change this” (p. 39). The book begins with Potter’s definition of the medicine of nursing and moves quickly to the partnership paradigm. Applying Eisler’s theories to nursing models equalizes the dynamic with other health care professionals. The historical perspective on nursing weaves through our forgotten past, providing a thought-provoking and inspiring read. Chapter 3 begins an indepth study of Eisler’s study of relational dynamics and systems theory. Next, there is a wonderful chapter on modern exemplars of partner-based nursing, including Florence Nightingale, Mary Seacole, Lillian Wald, and Walt Whitman. In chapters 6–14, Eisler and Potter examine nursing using the dominationpartnership continuum from the perspective of nursing education, professional identity, self-care, patient care, intraprofessional relationships, economics, community, nature, and health care reform. A downside of the book is that it does not deal adequately with the problems of nursing within the economic realities of corporate enterprises. Eisler and Potter cover a lot of ground. The book is intended for readers looking for a complex analysis of inequity in nursing. Rather, it introduces a broad-based, well needed paradigm with which to move cautiously along the path toward interprofessional development, without losing the caring, partnershipbased ethos of the nursing profession. I highly recommend this book for nurse educators, researchers, and practitioners. Nursing students will benefit from learning the history of nursing and how to communicate this history to other health care professionals. Nursing needs more scholars addressing these interprofessional themes so that the values of care that distinguish the nursing profession survive.
TL;DR: Mental health nursing education has a positive and selective influence on attitudes to consumer participation and lived experience-led education was more beneficial in changing attitudes toConsumer capacity and both types of education had similar positive effects on attitudes on consumers as staff.
Abstract: Mental health policy emphasises the importance of consumer participation in mental health services. To align education with policy and orient future healthcare services to active consumer involvement, the potential of academics with a lived experience of mental illness to impact on student attitudes towards consumer participation needs to be examined. A cohort comparative study was undertaken comparing attitudinal change between undergraduate nursing students undertaking two different mental health courses, one nurse-led (n = 61) and one lived experience-led. Attitudes were measured through the Mental Health Consumer Participation Questionnaire. Within-cohort change was assessed via dependent sample t-tests, and degree of change was observed in each cohort, by comparing effect sizes. For the nurse-led course, attitudes on consumer involvement t (60) = –1.79, p < 0.005 (95% CI: –2.84, –0.74) and consumer as staff t (60) = –4.12, p < 0.005 (95% CI: –3.34, –1.16), positively changed with effect size r of 0.4...
TL;DR: Findings from this qualitative study of a recovery-based alternative to hospital EDs for persons in emotional distress are supported by anecdotal and empirical evidence that suggests that non-clinical care settings are perceived as helpful and positive.
Abstract: Persons with severe mental illness experience episodic crises, resulting in frequent visits to hospital emergency departments (EDs). EDs, however, are not the most effective treatment environments for these individuals who might better be served elsewhere in an environment based on recovery-oriented framework. The purpose of this study is to describe the lived experience of guests (persons in emotional distress) and staff (counselors, psychiatric nurses, and peer counselors) of a community, recovery-oriented, alternative crisis intervention environment-The Living Room (TLR). The total sample is comprised of 18 participants. An existential phenomenological approach was used for this qualitative, descriptive, study. Through non-directive in-depth interviews, participants were asked to describe what stands out to them about The Living Room. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and systematically analyzed using descriptive phenomenological methods of analysis by an interdisciplinary and community-based participatory research team. Participants' experiences in hospital EDs and inpatient psychiatric units contextualized the phenomenological experience of TLR environment. The final thematic structure of the experience of TLR included the following predominant themes: A Safe Harbor, At Home with Uncomfortable Feelings, and It's a Helping, No Judging Zone. Findings from this qualitative study of a recovery-based alternative to hospital EDs for persons in emotional distress are supported by anecdotal and empirical evidence that suggests that non-clinical care settings are perceived as helpful and positive.
TL;DR: Examination of attitudes of college students regarding mental illness as part of a campus-wide “common readings” program demonstrated that younger students and those who are less familiar with mental illness were more likely to stigmatize and maintain social distance from those who have mental illness.
Abstract: Research has demonstrated that stigmatizing mentally ill individuals is prevalent and often results in lack of adherence to or avoidance of treatment. The present study sought to examine attitudes of college students regarding mental illness as part of a campus-wide "common readings" program. The book selected was a non-fiction account of a young girl with mental illness and the program was developed to initiate dialogue about young people with mental problems. Faculty from multiple disciplines collaborated on the project. A sample of 309 students completed a web-based survey after reading a vignette about an adolescent girl with mental illness. The vignette description was based on a character in the book selected in the program. The instruments measured attribution of stigma, social distance, and familiarity with people who have mental illness. Results demonstrated that younger students and those who are less familiar with mental illness were more likely to stigmatize and maintain social distance from those who are mentally ill. Awareness of the study findings can assist health professionals and mental health workers to identify interventions that can decrease stigma. Psychiatric mental health nurses are well positioned to lead the education effort aimed at reducing stigmatizing attitudes among the public.
TL;DR: The notion of resilience from the perspective of the specialty of mental health nursing is considered, including the ways the specialty has adapted— and continues to develop—to changes experienced since deinstitutionalisation.
Abstract: As a concept, resilience is continuing to attract considerable attention and its importance across various life domains is increasingly recognised. Few studies, however, have defined or considered the notion of the group or collective resilience of a profession, including the capacity of that profession to withstand adversity and continue to develop positively in the face of change. This article considers the notion of resilience from the perspective of the specialty of mental health nursing, including the ways the specialty has adapted--and continues to develop--to changes experienced since deinstitutionalisation. Insights are drawn from a national Delphi study undertaken in Australia to develop a Scope of Practice for Mental Health Nurses, with responses used as a springboard to consider the impact of the perceived loss of professional identity on the collective resilience of the profession. Recommendations for a way forward for the profession are considered, including the ways in which a collective professional resilience could be developed to sustain and strengthen the professional identity of mental health nursing in Australia and across the globe.
TL;DR: This study compared the effect of telephone calls only, text messages only, and both telephone calls and text messages on individuals’ symptoms and medication adherence.
Abstract: Problem-solving interventions are not routinely offered to persons with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSDs). Telephone calls and text messages are potential avenues to offer problem solving support. This study compared the effect of telephone calls only, text messages only, and both telephone calls and text messages on individuals' symptoms and medication adherence. Thirty outpatient participants with SSDs were randomly assigned to weekly telephone calls, daily text messages, or both for three months. Participants received monthly in-home pill counts and symptom assessments. Repeated measures ANOVA was significant (F (4,26) = 4.2, p = 0.005) for symptom scores. Further work with larger, more diverse, samples is needed.
TL;DR: The effectiveness of resilience training was just as good as the effectiveness of cognitive therapy in the reduction of depression in female college students and remained stable from the posttest to the follow-up, like that of Cognitive therapy.
Abstract: Depression is the most common mental illness among women. Its prevalence in women is two to three times that of men. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of resilience training on the reduction of depression in female college students. This semi-empirical study was carried out with two experimental groups and one control group. The research sample was women with symptoms of depression who were 18–22 years of age and living in a college dormitory. One experimental group was given eight 90-minute resilience training sessions, while the other received eight 90-minute cognitive therapy sessions. The control group didn't receive any interventions. The three groups under study were evaluated using the Beck II depression inventory before and after the interventions and two months after the treatment had ended. The three groups didn't have significant differences in age, marital status, or depression scores on the pretest. The resilience training group and cognitive therapy group sho...
TL;DR: The barriers to EBP for PMHN practice are clearly apparent and the challenge, now, is to build up creative strategies through which psychiatric nurses are better able to provide EBP care as part of their everyday performance.
Abstract: Many psychiatric/mental health nursing (PMHN) practices have been affected by old traditions and haphazard trial and error instead of by established scientific evidence. The purpose of this article is to explore and analyze the barriers surrounding evidence-based practice (EBP) in PMHN. I identify some strategies to overcome these barriers in an attempt to incorporate EBP within the framework of PMHN services. Barriers explain the lack of EBP in today's PMHN environment. The barriers identified in this research are: the nature of the evidence, the contribution of the psychiatric nursing researchers to EBP, the personal characteristics of psychiatric nurses, and organizational factors. While the barriers to EBP for PMHN practice are clearly apparent, the challenge, now, is to build up creative strategies through which psychiatric nurses are better able to provide EBP care as part of their everyday performance. Adaptation of a more dynamic form of EBP, increasing the number of PMHN researchers, conducting clinical research projects, choosing suitable journals for publication, training the psychiatric nurses about computer skills, integrating the EBP principles into nursing curricula, developing journal clubs, and offering organizational facilitators are essential prerequisites for the achievement of EBP in the PMHN field. It is no longer justifiable for psychiatric nurses to be deficient in knowledge and skill since the advantages of EBP for patients are well-documented.
TL;DR: Women who report experiencing less stress in their couple relationship are less likely to report PPD symptoms even when they have a personal history of depression and or PPD.
Abstract: This study examined pregnancy risk for developing, and protective factors for preventing, Postpartum Depression (PPD). The object of this study was to (a) examine previously identified pregnancy stressors to learn which stressors put women more at risk for PPD and (b) to identify possible buffers for women who are at risk for developing PPD. A secondary data set was used for two analyses. Women were invited to participate in the study while still in the hospital, within 24-48 hours after delivery of a singleton, term (≥37 weeks) live-born infant. The data were collected in four large urban hospitals in Utah from 2005-2007. A total of 1,568 women participated in the study. Women who report experiencing less stress in their couple relationship are less likely to report PPD symptoms even when they have a personal history of depression and or PPD. The results of these analyses illustrate that a couple's relationship, depending on the stress level experienced in the relationship, can be both a risk and protective factor for pregnant women.
TL;DR: There is evidence to support the effectiveness of interventions that aim to develop cognitive skills among adolescents that enhance adolescents’ capacity to manage stress, but most studies had small samples and relied on different operational definitions of outcomes.
Abstract: Adolescence can be a stressful developmental phase, placing youth at risk for negative health outcomes. Evidence-based interventions are crucial to helping adolescents manage stress; yet, most of the literature on adolescent stress is observational and descriptive. We systematically reviewed the literature on stress management interventions for adolescents and found there is evidence to support the effectiveness of interventions that aim to develop cognitive skills among adolescents; however, most studies had small samples and relied on different operational definitions of outcomes. Few included biological indicators of stress. Further study is needed to develop interventions to enhance adolescents' capacity to manage stress.
TL;DR: A better understanding of patient and spouse psychological wellbeing and QoL will provide nurses with the information needed in terms of developing strategies for reducing patients’ and spouses’ anxiety and depression and thus improve theirQoL.
Abstract: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) could have a negative impact on quality of life (QoL) and is associated with anxiety and depression in both patients and informal caregivers. The aim of this study was to examine the relationships between anxiety, depression and QoL of both Jordanian patients with COPD and their spouses. The selected design used in this study was a cross-sectional, descriptive, correlational design. A total of 67 patients and spouses were interviewed in 2011, using self-administered questionnaires. Descriptive statistical analysis was applied. Bivariate correlation analysis was undertaken to examine the relationship between variables. The results showed that patients and spouses with high levels of anxiety and depression reported a poor QoL. Patients had a lower QoL than their spouses. A better understanding of patient and spouse psychological wellbeing and QoL will provide nurses with the information needed in terms of developing strategies for reducing patients' and spouses' anxiety and depression and thus improve their QoL. The health-service agencies and government should improve policy by improving family-centred services for both patients and spouses.
TL;DR: A meta-synthesis of 12 qualitative studies using Noblit and Hare's 7-phase model of meta-ethnography found four themes of postpartum depression: crushed maternal role expectation, going into hiding, loss of sense of self, intense feelings of vulnerability, plus practical life concerns.
Abstract: To synthesize existing qualitative literature on the first-hand experiences of women suffering from postpartum depression (PPD), to uncover potential common themes, a meta-synthesis of 12 qualitative studies using Noblit and Hare's 7-phase model of meta-ethnography was used. Four themes were discovered: crushed maternal role expectation, going into hiding, loss of sense of self, intense feelings of vulnerability, plus practical life concerns. A preliminary theory of PPD as a 4-step process is proposed, based on the relationships between the themes in this meta-synthesis. This 4-step process is compared and contrasted with Cheryl Tatano Beck's 4-stage theory of PPD "Teetering on the Edge". This meta-synthesis and theory offers a significant contribution to the literature in helping identify PPD distinctly from depression outside of the postpartum period, and deserves further study.
TL;DR: It is concluded that employees of institutions with less disruptive behavior exhibited lower stress levels, which is important in improving employee satisfaction and reducing medical errors.
Abstract: This study sought to explore the prevalence of workplace stress, gender differences, and the relationship of workplace incivility to the experience of stress. Effects of stress on performance have been explored for many years. Work stress has been at the root of many physical and psychological problems and has even been linked to medical errors and suboptimal patient outcomes. In this study, 617 respondents completed a Provider Conflict Questionnaire (PCQ) as well as a ten-item stress survey. Work was the main stressor according to 78.2% of respondents. The stress index was moderately high, ranging between 10 and 48 (mean = 25.5). Females demonstrated a higher stress index. Disruptive behavior showed a significant positive correlation with increased stress. This study concludes that employees of institutions with less disruptive behavior exhibited lower stress levels. This finding is important in improving employee satisfaction and reducing medical errors. It is difficult to retain experienced nurses, and stress is a significant contributor to job dissatisfaction. Moreover, workplace conflict and its correlation to increased stress levels must be managed as a strategy to reduce medical errors and increase job satisfaction.
TL;DR: In order to improve quality of care and increase well-being for both patients and health care workers, nursing interventions, such as dialogues and meaningful activities, need to be offered to patients.
Abstract: This study explored ten registered nurses’ experiences of di- alogues with inpatients in psychiatric care. Data were collected through four focus group discussions, and two individual inter- views. ...
TL;DR: The advent of recovery-oriented services, rather than recovery models of health care, presents challenges for the evaluation of the outcomes of these services and provides opportunities for mental health nurses to lead the way, by developing rigorous models of practice that support consumers who have acute, chronic, or severe mental illness on their recovery journey.
Abstract: The terms "model of health care," "service model." and "nursing model of practice" are often used interchangeably in practice, policy, and research, despite differences in definitions. This article considers these terms in the context of consumer-centred recovery and its implementation into a publicly-funded health service organization in Australia. Findings of a case study analysis are used to inform the discussion, which considers the diverse models of health care employed by health professionals; together with the implications for organizations worldwide that are responsible for operationalizing recovery approaches to health care. As part of the discussion, it is suggested that the advent of recovery-oriented services, rather than recovery models of health care, presents challenges for the evaluation of the outcomes of these services. At the same time, this situation provides opportunities for mental health nurses to lead the way, by developing rigorous models of practice that support consumers who have acute, chronic, or severe mental illness on their recovery journey; and generate positive, measureable outcomes.
TL;DR: It was showed that lower income level, greater number of comorbidities, lower active coping scores, and poorer medication adherence were significantly associated with higher depression scores.
Abstract: Black women have the highest prevalence of hypertension in the world, and depression is associated with both hypertension and lack of health promoting behaviors. Thus, it is important to identify factors that may contribute to depression in hypertensive women. This cross-sectional study was conducted with a convenience sample of 80 black women ages 18-60 who were prescribed anti-hypertensive medication. Data were collected using self-report instruments. The study showed that lower income level, greater number of comorbidities, lower active coping scores, and poorer medication adherence were significantly associated with higher depression scores. These findings have important implications for the development of screening protocols and interventions for black women.
TL;DR: Investigating the associations among problem-solving skills and hardiness with perceived stress in nurses found greater hardiness was associated with low levels of perceived stress, and nurses low in perceived stress were more likely to be considered approachable, have a style that relied on their own sense of internal personal control, and demonstrate effective problem-Solving confidence.
Abstract: Nursing is a stressful occupation, even when compared with other health professions; therefore, it is necessary to advance our knowledge about the protective factors that can help reduce stress among nurses. The present study sought to investigate the associations among problem-solving skills and hardiness with perceived stress in nurses. The participants, 252 nurses from six private hospitals in Tehran, completed the Personal Views Survey, the Perceived Stress Scale, and the Problem-Solving Inventory. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used to analyse the data and answer the research hypotheses. As expected, greater hardiness was associated with low levels of perceived stress, and nurses low in perceived stress were more likely to be considered approachable, have a style that relied on their own sense of internal personal control, and demonstrate effective problem-solving confidence. These findings reinforce the importance of hardiness and problem-solving skills as protective factors against perceived stress among nurses, and could be important in training future nurses so that hardiness ability and problem-solving skills can be imparted, allowing nurses to have more ability to control their perceived stress.