Stressful Experiences Research Articles

Gender Disparities in Workplace Stress Levels Among Physicians and Nurses

Work stress is increasingly recognized as a critical health concern that negatively impacts employee satisfaction and productivity, leading to elevated absenteeism and turnover rates. Studies suggest that women may face higher levels of work-related stress than men, although some research has not identified significant differences. The experiences of stress in the workplace differ between doctors and nurses, given the higher levels of interpersonal interaction in these roles. This cross-sectional observational study involved 200 doctors and 200 nurses, ensuring balanced gender representation. Demographic information was collected through a semi-structured proforma, and workplace stress was assessed using the Workplace Stress Scale. The results indicated that 66.2% of participants viewed their work environment as stressful, with a mean score of 19.01 on the Workplace Stress Scale. A notably higher proportion of females (72.5%) reported experiencing stress at work compared to males (60.5%, p<0.05). Among the nursing staff, female nurses reported the highest stress levels (76%, mean score of 21.3), followed by female doctors (69%, mean score of 19.4), while male nurses (61%, mean score of 18.1) and male doctors (60%, mean score of 17.2) reported lower levels. These findings suggest that women perceive their work environments as significantly more stressful than their male counterparts. It is crucial to focus on enhancing working conditions for doctors and nurses, especially for female employees, as this can lead to improved outcomes for patients and the wider community. Keywords: Doctors, Gender Disparities, Nursing Staff, Work Stress.

How to give an effective conference presentation.

At some point in their careers, nurses may choose or be invited to give a conference presentation, online or in person. For some, this can be an exciting opportunity to share best practice, impart knowledge and receive feedback, for example, on a local service initiative they have been involved in. For others, it can be a stressful experience, especially if they are not confident in presenting. However, giving conference presentations is an important skill in nursing leadership, particularly when sharing a new method of care or innovative service. Although there is no specific evidence base underlying conference presentation, expert recommendations indicate that a well-delivered presentation relies on thorough preparation, an avoidance of excessive on-screen text and the use of images and key messages to ensure the audience gains maximum benefit. • When preparing a presentation, you should consider aspects such as what the conference organisers require, the time allocated for the presentation and how to prepare the appropriate number of clear and well-presented slides. • Consider the key points that you wish to communicate to the audience and use a balanced mix of text and images. • Maintain a focus on the presentation's application to nursing practice, so that audience members can take away key learning points and apply these to their own practice. REFLECTIVE ACTIVITY: 'How to' articles can help to update your practice and ensure it remains evidence based. Apply this article to your practice. Reflect on and write a short account of: • How this article might improve your presentation skills. • How you could use this information to educate nursing students or other colleagues about effective conference presentation.

Evaluating the Effects of Motion Cues in Virtual Truck Driver Training

The integration of simulation technology into professional training has transformed learning in various sectors. Although prior research has explored motion cueing in simulators such as aviation training, driver navigation and performance, there is limited investigation into the impact of motion stimuli in VR-based truck driver training. This study investigates the driving performance of truck drivers in two virtual driving tasks, comparing conditions with and without motion cues. Participants wore virtual reality headsets and were situated within an immersive motion simulator. They completed two driving tasks involving truck docking and highway driving. Simulator sickness, stress, and user experience were assessed using the simulator sickness questionnaire, subjective unit of distress scale, and user experience questionnaire, respectively. Our findings suggest that motion cues hold potential to enhance subjective experiences, making driving more engaging, stimulating, and mitigating motion sickness. However, they did not significantly affect overall driving performance, except for steering behavior. Participants exhibited more engaged steering during highway driving when motion cues were present. Our findings suggest that the impact of motion cues is task-dependent, with their absence not showing a significant detrimental effect on driving performance in the simulated environment. Further validation with field-observed data is necessary to confirm these findings. These insights can guide future policies and regulations governing virtual truck driver training, ultimately ensuring improved safety and performance in the industry.

Silent Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Parental Attachment in Pediatric Patients.

The COVID-19 pandemic led to isolation measures intended to curb the spread of infection, which are believed to have negatively affected children's psychological well-being. This study examines the impact of the pandemic on parental attachment with children. A cross-sectional study was conducted with children visiting a general pediatrics clinic between April 1 and 20, 2023. Their COVID-19 infection history was recorded, and the Kern's Attachment Questionnaire was used to assess parental attachment in children who had contracted COVID-19 and those who had not. The study involved 716 patients aged 9-12, divided into two groups: those who had contracted COVID-19 (n=253) and those who had not (n=463). Kern's Attachment Questionnaire scores for mothers were 46.3 for children with COVID-19 and 49.4 for those without. For fathers, the scores were 43.9 and 48, respectively. Children who had contracted COVID-19 showed significantly lower attachment scores to both mothers and fathers compared to the control group (p=0.04, p=0.00). The pandemic's long-term biopsychosocial effects are evident, with increased stress and negative experiences posing risks to child development, particularly in terms of parental attachment. While early attachment begins in infancy, it continues to evolve. This study underscores the need for behavioral and psychological follow-up for adolescents in the post-pandemic period.

Improving Outcomes for ICU Family Members: The Role of Spiritual Care.

Having a family member hospitalized in the intensive care unit (ICU) can be a stressful experience for family members, encompassing both psychological and spiritual distress. With over 5 million ICU admissions annually in the United States, it is imperative to enhance the experiences and coping mechanisms of ICU family members. In particularly challenging situations, some family members even face psychological effects known as post-intensive care syndrome-family, which includes anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress. The distress may be worsened when patients and families experience poor communication or medical care, which has been shown to be more common among minoritized populations including Black and Hispanic patients and families. Family members' emotional and spiritual distress also has an effect on the medical decisions they make for the patient. While research has delved into the impact of spiritual care for ICU family members, further investigation is still needed to determine the most effective approaches for delivering such care. This narrative review will describe a conceptual model aimed at guiding future research in this endeavor. The model proposes that chaplains provide emotional, spiritual, and information support to ICU family members. This affects both their ICU experience, decision making, and outcomes for the patient and family. This process is also affected by characteristics of the family such as race, ethnicity, and economic status. This model helps identify gaps in research, including the need for randomized trials of spiritual care that identify mechanisms underlying outcomes and demonstrate impact of spiritual care, and consider race, ethnicity, and other characteristics.

Secondary Traumatic Stress and Coping Experiences in Psychiatric Nurses Caring for Trauma Victims: APhenomenological Study.

In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the secondary traumatic stress and coping experiences of psychiatric nurses who care for people who have experienced psychological trauma with a phenomenological approach. In this study, semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 18 psychiatric nurses residing in Turkey using the phenomenological research method. The criterion sampling method was used to reach the sample group. Interviews continued until data saturation was achieved, and all interviews were audio-recorded and then transcribed. The data were analysed using thematic analysis. The study was conducted and reported using the COREQ checklist. In the analysis of the data, three themes (difficulties in caring for people who have experienced trauma, the effects of caring for people who have experienced trauma on the individual and coping, reflections of secondary trauma on the profession) and seven sub-themes (mental, physical, social, psychosocial difficulties and coping, quality of care, professional and organisational aspects) were identified. As a result of the study, it was determined that secondary traumatic stress was observed in psychiatric nurses caring for individuals who experienced psychological trauma. It was determined that caring for people who have experienced psychological trauma can negatively affect nurses psychosocially, and individuals have difficulty coping. In line with the results of the study, it is thought that necessary intervention programs should be created for nurses experiencing secondary traumatic stress.

Cutting the Gordian knot of the education ‘crisis’ with teacher testing. A blunt instrument that crushes marginalised pre-service teachers

ABSTRACT This paper offers a brief yet evocative glimpse into marginalised pre-service teachers’ (PST) experiences of teacher testing in Australia’s High-stakes Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Students (LANTITE). Utilising Critical Disability Theory (CDT)in particular, Goodley’s (2016) concept of neoliberal-ableism, we problematise teacher testing as a gatekeeping tool for students undertaking teacher education. The article highlights how neoliberal education policies in Australia have disempowered and turned away talented and empathetic future teachers. By illuminating their embodied experiences of stress and anxiety, we interrogate neoliberal discourses of power and how teacher testing is used as a blunt instrument to solve complex problems and funnel public funding to private corporations. As part of a larger longitudinal research project, we offer four narrative portraits giving voice to vulnerable PSTs who have become unwitting victims of the high-stakes test juggernaut. This article focuses on five emergent themes from the research: (a) the embodied impact of stress and anxiety on test-takers, (b) withholding of information regarding testing processes and support, (c) the lack of differentiation available to PSTs (d) impacts of edu-businesses and the business of education on vulnerable participants and (e) a passion for differentiation.

Contextualizing experiences of cultural stress: A qualitative exploration among Hispanic/Latinx youth in Miami and Los Angeles.

Hispanic/Latinx youth vary in their immigration heritage (e.g., country of origin, familial migration history, etc.) and the structure of their communities. This study is a qualitative exploration of Hispanic/Latinx youth experiences of cultural stress in Miami and Los Angeles in 2021. A total of 23 Hispanic/Latinx adolescents in Los Angeles (n = 12) and Miami (n = 11) provided in-depth interviews to assess: (a) appraisals of family immigration history and (b) experiences across three cultural stressors: sociopolitical, language brokering, and intragroup marginalization. Interviews were analyzed using a general inductive analytic approach and case comparison methodology to assess differences across sites. For appraisals of family immigration history, gratitude and hope emerged as positive emotions experienced when youth reflected on their immigrant origins. Miami participants reported perceived worsening of sociopolitical stress as a result of changes in political administration whereas participants in Los Angeles felt a sense of relief. Participants in Miami and Los Angeles reported similar strengths and challenges in language brokering with COVID-19 variedly impacting youth's perceived language brokering stress. Last, to youth intragroup marginalization experienced from family members was experienced as more detrimental than from peers, and they reported the use of cognitive reframes to cope. Cultural stressors are dynamic and diverse. This study further informs cultural stress theory by cataloging how families' immigration history and national current events inform experiences of stress among youth. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Talking to Unconscious? - Therapeutic Communication During General Anaesthesia, Resuscitation and Therapy of Coma

There are numerous reports from patients concerning perceptions during deep unconsciousness, be it general anaesthesia, cardiopulmonary resuscitation or intensive care and coma treatment. These experiences can cause considerable traumatisation. The most stressful experience is apparently not feeling pain, but the lack of communication, i.e. being recognised and being able to express oneself. Although there are already indications of positive effects of positive communication during general anaesthesia, these findings have not yet markedly changed the way we deal with the unconscious.

Stress produces negative judgement bias in cuttlefish.

Judgement bias tasks (JBTs) are used to assess the emotional state and welfare of animals in zoos, farms and laboratories, based on the interpretation of an ambiguous or intermediate cue. Animals in positive affective states are more likely to interpret the ambiguous cue positively, whereas animals experiencing negative affect are more likely to interpret ambiguous cues pessimistically. Here, we developed a modified JBT assay for the stumpy-spined cuttlefish, Sepia bandensis, to determine whether cuttlefish exhibit negative affective states resulting from external stressors. Positive and neutral visual cues were presented twice daily until animals learned to associate food with the reinforced visual cue. After training, one treatment group was exposed to combined exposure and handling stress produced by 6 days of impoverished housing and simulated net capture. Our control group received no stress experience. In test trials performed after the stress experience, stressed animals showed higher latencies to approach ambiguous cues, spent significantly less time in rooms with ambiguous cues once they entered, and were less likely to enter first into the ambiguous cue-paired room compared with controls. These behaviours suggest that stress induces pessimistic judgement bias in cuttlefish, the first indication of this capacity in cephalopods.

Mental health screening for parents following surgical neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) discharge

Admission to the surgical neonatal intensive care unit (sNICU) is a stressful experience. Care is often complex, with inherent risks and potential complications. This study describes the implementation of an outpatient mental health screening process for parents of infants admitted to a sNICU. Parents of infants aged >34 weeks gestation with a congenital anomaly requiring neonatal surgery participated in this prospective observational study. Standardised measures to screen for parenting stress (Parenting Stress Index™ Fourth Edition Short Form) and depressive symptoms (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale) were administered at the first outpatient visit scheduled when the infant's corrected gestational age was 4 months. A triage algorithm was developed, to review the initial screening results prompting appropriate action and intervention. Positive screens were triaged as evaluate (assess within 48 h), targeted information (email contact), or escalate response (same day risk assessment). Demographic factors associated with parental stress and depressive symptoms were explored. Forty parents (response rate: 88 %) participated in screening. A high portion of parents (52.5 %) required secondary screening, for parenting stress (n = 10), depressive symptoms (n = 5) or both stress and depressive symptoms (n = 6). Socioeconomic disadvantage was positively associated with parenting stress (p = 0.02) and greater depressive symptoms with parent education levels (p = 0.01). Results indicate screening of parent mental health in the outpatient setting is feasible. Use of a triage algorithm helped prioritise parent follow-up and facilitate workflows. Parent mental health screening should be prioritised within and beyond the sNICU to support family and infant outcomes during this critical period of development.

A small population of stress-responsive neurons in the hypothalamus-habenula circuit mediates development of depression-like behavior in mice.

Accumulating evidence has shown that various brain functions are associated with experience-activated neuronal ensembles. However, whether such neuronal ensembles are engaged in the pathogenesis of stress-induced depression remains elusive. Utilizing activity-dependent viral strategies in mice, we identified a small population of stress-responsive neurons, primarily located in the middle part of the lateral hypothalamus (mLH) and the medial part of the lateral habenula (LHbM). These neurons serve as "starter cells" to transmit stress-related information and mediate the development of depression-like behaviors during chronic stress. Starter cells in the mLH and LHbM form dominant connections, which are selectively potentiated by chronic stress. Silencing these connections during chronic stress prevents the development of depression-like behaviors, whereas activating these connections directly elicits depression-like behaviors without stress experience. Collectively, our findings dissect a core functional unit within the LH-LHb circuit that mediates the development of depression-like behaviors in mice.

Secondary traumatization in refugee care—EMDR intervention for interpreters (STEIN): a study protocol for a quasi-randomized controlled trial

BackgroundBy the end of 2022, more than 100 million people worldwide fled their homes. Before, during and after their flight, refugees have high risk of experiencing traumatic events. Accordingly, around every third refugee is affected by posttraumatic stress disorder. For adequate mental health care, the service of interpreters is often urgently needed to overcome existing language barriers. However, repeated exposure with details of traumatic narratives, as experienced by interpreters, can be burdensome and can lead to trauma sequela symptoms in terms of secondary traumatic stress. Only few studies have examined the treatment of secondary traumatic stress to date. Based on the recommendations for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder with confrontational methods, this study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of an eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) intervention in a sample of interpreters working in refugee care suffering from secondary traumatic stress symptoms.MethodsTo evaluate the effectiveness of an EMDR intervention for the treatment of secondary traumatic stress symptoms, a quasi-randomized controlled trial using a waiting group design will be performed. Participants will be treated with a maximum of 6 sessions based on EMDR standard protocol. Primary outcome is the symptom load of secondary traumatic stress, assessed with the Questionnaire for Secondary Traumatization, while secondary outcomes comprise further symptom complexes such as PTSD due to self-experienced traumatic events, depression, anxiety, and somatization as well as quality of life, quality of professional life, and psychological wellbeing that will be assessed with the PDS, PHQ-9, GAD-7, SSD-12, SF-12, PROQOL-5, and WHO-5, respectively.DiscussionOur primary interest is to determine the efficacy of an EMDR intervention in interpreters affected by secondary traumatic stress, especially how many sessions are needed for significant symptom reduction. Change of associated symptom complexes and quality of life will be investigated. Reprocessing one’s own stressful experiences may also contribute to this, which is not the focus of the treatment but relevant to the EMDR protocol. This study aims to assess if EMDR could be an acceptable, effective, and time-efficient method for reducing work-related secondary traumatization.Trial registrationGerman Clinical Trials Register, DRKS00032092, registered 16 June 2023.

Stepping back or stepping in: A qualitative investigation of self-distanced versus self-immersed stressor reflections with competitive swimmers.

High performance sport consists of stressor events which can disrupt an athletes' functioning and negatively influence performance. The way in which one reflects upon stressor events and develops insights regarding how they coped is essential to overcoming similar experiences in the future. We conducted a pilot randomised controlled trial with a qualitative analysis to explore the coping insights among 48 highly trained/national level swimmers in the lead up to major swimming competitions, who reflected on stressor events from self-distanced or self-immersed perspectives over a 3-week period. Using the self-reflection and coping insight framework as a guideline, we captured diverscoping insights across both groups. Irrespective of the group to which they were assigned, athletes showed positive signs towards re-interpreting their stressor experience and embracing the stressor event, whereas consideration of individual values and adoption of a future-focus viewpoint were areas lacking. The emotionality described by athletes in their written reflections varied across both groups and influenced the development of coping insights. Our findings indicate a necessity to examine the emotionality associated with unique stressor events and consider integrating reflection strategies, while also enhancing the operational definitions within conceptual models of stress reflection protocols.

A WRF-UCM-SOLWEIG framework for mapping thermal comfort and quantifying urban climate drivers: Advancing spatial and temporal resolutions at city scale

The capability to evaluate city-scale outdoor thermal comfort is crucial for understanding the public's experience of heat stress, especially during heat waves. Nevertheless, there remains a methodological gap in accurately mapping thermal comfort with high spatial and temporal resolutions in complex urban environment and in quantifying the contributions of various urban climate drivers, such as sky view factors and tree canopy fraction. To bridge this gap, we propose an innovative WRF-UCM-SOLWEIG framework that couples a mesoscale model with an urban microclimate model. Specifically, it integrates the Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled with the urban canopy model (WRF-UCM) and the Solar and Longwave Environmental Irradiance Geometry model (SOLWEIG). This framework is then applied to a densely populated tropical city in China, to quantify the impact of urban climate drivers on the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI). The results reveal a significant diurnal variation in the impact of urban morphology. Notably, the most significant drivers affecting daytime UTCI are the impervious surface fraction and the tree canopy fraction, with maximum Pearson's correlation coefficients of 0.80 and -0.70, respectively. These findings suggest that urban heat mitigation strategies should prioritize on reducing impervious surfaces and enhancing shade management, alongside expanding urban forestry measures.

Experiences of cultural stress among U.S. citizen migrants: A mixed method approach.

On September 20, 2017, Hurricane Maria made landfall in Puerto Rico, devastating the archipelago and forcing thousands of Puerto Ricans to migrate to the U.S. mainland. Guided by a cultural stress theory framework, the present mixed method study examined how various cultural stressors impact participants' daily interactions and mental health outcomes. A total of 319 adult Hurricane Maria survivors residing on the U.S. mainland participated in the study. A mixed method sequential explanatory design was used. First, we used latent profile analysis (LPA) and multinomial logistic regression to identify the varied cultural stress experiences that participants had. Then we used data from semistructured interviews to better understand the experiences of participants classified into the different LPA profiles. Four profiles were identified: "moderate cultural stress" (35%), "overall low" (29%), "high cultural stress" (26%), and "low language stress" (10%). Multinomial regression indicated that members of the moderate cultural stress, high cultural stress, and low language stress profiles all reported significantly higher depressive and anxiety symptoms compared to members of the overall low profile. Qualitative data exemplified the daily experiences of participants placed into each profile, demonstrating that participants have rich and varied experiences that can contribute to their mental health symptoms. The present study documents the contributions of hurricane trauma and cultural stress vis-à-vis current mental health symptoms. Clinicians working with Hurricane Maria survivors should be cognizant of and inquire about migration-related cultural stressors including discrimination, feelings of being unwelcomed, and difficulty communicating in the destination community's dominant language. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

The role of bicultural stress and shame on the well-being of South Asian college students in the United States.

South Asian U.S. college students experience socialization from South Asian cultures they grew up with and White culture outside the South Asian community. The present study considers that the ways of navigating two conflicting cultures and experiences of shame are associated with anxiety and life satisfaction among South Asian U.S. college students. An anonymous survey, distributed to 271 South Asian students (mean age = 22, 38.2% male, 59.2% female, 2.3% nonbinary), quantitively assessed how bicultural stress and shame are related to anxiety and life satisfaction. Open-ended questions asked students to describe experiences of bicultural identity stressors and shame. Survey results indicated bicultural stress and shame as predictors of anxiety and lower life satisfaction. Thematic analysis of open-ended question responses revealed experienced stressors related to academics, finances, family expectations, and fitting in. Shame experiences were tied to bicultural stress and family and self-imposed expectations of participants. There is a need to further investigate the relationships found in the present study and explore ways to support South Asian students experiencing bicultural stress and shame. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Exploring pregnancy and postpartum experiences among geographically diverse elite athletes: A qualitative study

ObjectivesFemale athletes who experience childbirth during their athletic careers can expect to return to elite sports postpartum and perform at a comparable or improved level. However, mothering athletes often encounter significant barriers when re-entering elite sports. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of a geographically diverse group of mothering athletes who returned to elite sports after childbirth. DesignQualitative phenomenological research design using semi-structured interviews. MethodsIn-depth one-on-one interviews were conducted with nineteen mothering elite running athletes hailing from fourteen different countries. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic analysis. ResultsFindings were generated into five main themes: (1) Deciding to become a mother, (2) revealing pregnancy to stakeholders, (3) experience of pregnancy, (4) combining motherhood and elite running, and (5) improvement strategies to support athlete mothers. The findings revealed that participants experienced stress regarding their pregnancy announcements due to concerns about potential repercussions on their careers. These concerns included the impact on sponsorship deals, relationships with governing bodies, and interactions with their coaches. Participants felt their elite coaches and health practitioners had insufficient education to support them throughout their pregnancies and postpartum return to elite running. Finally, athletes express a sense of diminished pressure and increased motivation in races upon resuming their elite careers, attributing their improved athletic performance postpartum to their shift in focus from themselves to their child. ConclusionsThis study illuminates challenges and offers valuable insights to coaches, sponsors, health practitioners, exercise professionals, researchers, race organizers, and governing athletic bodies in better supporting mothering athletes.

The mental health toll of the Russian-Ukraine war across 11 countries: Cross-sectional data on war-related stressors, PTSD and CPTSD symptoms

Exposure to war is a severe traumatic experience with disastrous mental health effects. This study examined the mental health among 5,560 residents in 11 countries worldwide at different geographic distances from the epicenter of the Russian-Ukrainian War (RUW). An online questionnaire assessed war-related variables (e.g., personal experiences with RUW, perceived concern and threat), previous life stress experiences, and mental health (i.e., resilience, anxiety, depression, perceived stress, ICD-11 PTSD, and CPTSD). Results showed regional differences. Ukrainians had the worst mental health indices, followed by participants in the bordering countries, and then by those in the distal ones. War-related variables were associated with worse mental health. The common predictors for PTSD and CPTSD were previous mental disorder, anxiety, and perceived stress, whereas unique predictors were also found (PTSD: female gender and impact of news on mental health; CPTSD: being single, overall impact of war on mental health, sum of lifetime traumatic experiences, resilience (inversely), and depression). Given the continuing uncertainty about the threat of war for many of the nations in this study, findings suggest the need for practitioners to support concerned populations.

Black, Low-Income Undergraduates’ Perceptions of Course-Related Factors Associated With Reduced Academic Stress at a Predominantly White Institution

Academic stress is a common struggle for learners of all ages. High levels of academic stress can sometimes relate to lower academic outcomes and higher attrition rates. Black college students at predominantly White institutions (PWIs) face unique stressors such as discrimination and imposter syndrome. Being low-income can carry added stressors associated with a lack of access to resources. Prior literature indicates that support and stronger relationships with faculty are associated with lower stress levels and higher academic success. The purpose of this study was to develop a better understanding of course-related factors that reduce academic stress among Black, low-income undergraduates at a PWI. Interviews with 19 Black undergraduates recruited from a department that servees low-income, first-generation students revealed a set of interrelated factors that produce greater feelings of support, relatedness, and competence, which aligns with a reduction in stressful experiences. A thematic analysis was used to create descriptive categories and produce a visual representation of these factors. Implications for university staff and faculty are discussed.