A concept analysis of psychological trauma in labour and delivery nurses.

Abstract

To facilitate an understanding of the risk for psychological trauma in labour and delivery nurses. Concept analysis. The Walker and Avant method of concept analysis was applied to 56 articles. The characteristics, antecedents, and consequences of psychological trauma in labour and delivery nurses were identified. Peer-reviewed articles in English from CINAHL, PubMed and Google Scholar were reviewed on July 2023. The characteristics of psychological trauma in labour and delivery nurses are overwhelming distress, intrusive symptoms, avoidance and numbing behaviours, hypervigilance or hyperarousal, emotional dysregulation, cognitive distortions, and interpersonal challenges. The antecedents are exposure to one or more of the following nurse-specific traumas: natural or person-made disasters, historical role limitations, second victim situations, secondary trauma, system-mediated or over-medicalized care, insufficient resources, or workplace incivility. The consequences are disruptions in mental health, diminished physical health, alterations in relationships, and variable work performance. Labour and delivery nurses experience unique causes of psychological trauma due to their practice environment and patient population. The consequences of labour and delivery nurses' psychological trauma extend beyond individual health and impact the quality of patient care and organizational capacity. Furthermore, research is needed to inform education, support and policy measures to mitigate harm effectively. WHAT PROBLEM DID THE STUDY ADDRESS?: Nurse-specific trauma theory has not been applied to the unique labour and delivery environment with a high incidence of patient trauma. WHAT WERE THE MAIN FINDINGS?: Multiple causes of trauma in the perinatal context have created a pervasive yet largely preventable issue. WHERE AND ON WHOM WILL THE RESEARCH HAVE AN IMPACT?: This research will impact labour and delivery nurses, their leadership, and their patients. No patient or public contribution.