A Group Intervention to Promote Resilience in Nursing Professionals: A Randomised Controlled Trial.

Gesche Janzarik,Klaus Lieb,Daniel Wollschläger,Michèle Wessa

doi:10.3390/ijerph19020649

Abstract

In this study, a new group intervention program to foster resilience in nursing professionals was tested for efficacy. In total, 72 nurses were recruited and randomised to either an intervention condition or to a wait list control condition. The study had a pre-test, post-test, follow-up design. The eight-week program targeted six resilience factors: cognitive flexibility, coping, self-efficacy, self-esteem, self-care, and mindfulness. Compared to the control group, the intervention group reported a significant improvement in the primary outcome mental health (measured with the General Health Questionnaire) from pre-test (M = 20.79; SD = 9.85) to post-test (M = 15.81; SD = 7.13) with an estimated medium effect size (p = 0.03, η2 = 0.08) at post-test. Further significant improvements were found for resilience and other resilience related outcomes measures. The individual stressor load of the subjects was queried retrospectively in each measurement. Stress levels had a significant influence on mental health. The intervention effect was evident even though the stress level in both groups did not change significantly between the measurements. Follow-up data suggest that the effects were sustained for up to six months after intervention. The resilience intervention reduced mental burden in nurses and also positively affected several additional psychological outcomes.

Highlights

The work of nurses in hospitals is associated with a high psychological and physical workload
There were no significant differences between intervention and control group regarding age, gender, marital status, weekly working hours, and stressor load before the intervention
Socio-demographic data are presented in Tableof1.theThere were no significant differences between intervention and control group regarding age, gender, marital status, Intervention Group

Summary

Introduction

The work of nurses in hospitals is associated with a high psychological and physical workload. The global problem of increasing stress and associated problems at the employee, patient, and organisational level is often discussed in the international nursing literature. This critical development may be further intensified by structural changes and staff shortages in nursing care [2]. Recent studies indicate that a high number of nurses intend to leave the profession due to high job stress and dissatisfaction [4]. Those who stay are at risk of burnout [5]. High stress is a risk factor for problematic substance use among nurses [6]

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion