Levels Of Perceived Stress Research Articles

The influence of effort-reward imbalance and perceived organizational support on perceived stress in Chinese nurses: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundThe nursing profession is characterized by high intensity and significant stress. Nurses must not only manage heavy workloads but also address diverse patient needs, engage in emotional labor, and cope with occupational exposure risks. These factors collectively contribute to substantial work-related stress for nurses. Currently, there is limited research on identifying distinct categories of nurse stress profiles and their influencing factors.ObjectivesThis study aimed to explore the potential categories of perceived stress among nurses using Latent profile analysis (LPA) and to analyze the influence of sociodemographic factors, effort-reward imbalance, and perceived organizational support on perceived stress categories.DesignCross-sectional studyMethodsData were collected via electronic surveys from 696 nurses in Shanxi Province, China, from February 18 to 28, 2023. The survey parameters included sociodemographic characteristics, nurse job stressors scale, effort-reward imbalance scale, and perceived organizational support scale. Latent profile analysis (LPA) was used to classify the perceived stress levels of nurses, and disordered multi-classification logistic regression was used to identify the influencing factors.ResultsThe most suitable model was a three-profile model, comprising the “low perceived stress” group (10.5%), “moderate perceived stress” group (66.7%), and “high perceived stress” group (22.8%). Multi-classification logistic regression analysis showed that average working hours per day (OR = 3.022, p = 0.026), extrinsic effort (C2 vs. C1, OR = 1.589, p < 0.001; C3 vs. C1, OR = 2.515, p < 0.001), and perceived organizational support (C2 vs. C1, OR = 0.853, p < 0.001; C3 vs. C1, OR = 0.753, p < 0.001) were the factors influencing the classification of nurses’ perceived stress.ConclusionsLatent profile analysis revealed that nurses’ perceived stress exhibits distinct characteristics. It is recommended that clinical administrators should identify these characteristics and the influencing factors of different nurse categories, and adopt targeted intervention strategies to reduce the levels of perceived stress.

The Effects of Laughter Therapy on Perceived Stress and Quality of Life in Women With Breast Cancer Receiving Chemotherapy: A Parallel-Group Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial.

Women with breast cancer experience various symptoms secondary to chemotherapy that reduce their quality of life and increase their stress levels. To evaluate the effects of laughter therapy on perceived stress levels and quality of life in women with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy using a parallel-group randomized controlled pilot trial. Forty-two women were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. The intervention group received 40 minutes of laughter therapy twice a week for 8 weeks. The control group received routine treatment. The women in both groups completed the Perceived Stress Scale and SF-12 Health Survey at baseline, week 5, and week 9 after randomization. There was a significant decrease in the mean Perceived Stress Scale scores in the intervention group compared with those in the control group at weeks 5 and 9 compared with baseline, and the difference between groups by measurement week was significant (P < .001). Women in the intervention group had higher Physical Component Summary-12 and Mental Component Summary-12 scores in weeks 5 and 9 compared with those in the control group, and there was a significant difference between groups in terms of change in the Physical Component Summary-12 and Mental Component Summary-12 mean scores over time (P < .001). Laughter therapy is possible to use as a nursing intervention to reduce the perceived stress levels and increase the quality of life of women receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer. Nurses can apply laughter therapy in the symptom management of women receiving chemotherapy.

Partner Phubbing and Sleep Quality: Serial Mediation Models With Relationship Satisfaction and Perceived Stress.

The increasing integration of technology into our lives has been affecting our daily routines and even our sleeps. Being a relatively new concept, phubbing refers to the act of overly engaging with one's phone while dismissing those around in the social settings. In this context, partner phubbing involves individuals exhibiting this neglect in the presence of their romantic partners. Evidence suggests that higher partner phubbing may lead to lower relationship satisfaction and higher perceived stress. The aim of the present cross-sectional study was to examine whether relationship satisfaction and perceived stress mediate the relationship between partner phubbing and sleep quality. Four hundred twenty-three individuals (females = 78.5%, Mage = 29.19, SD = 6.87) participated in the study and completed the measures of partner phubbing, relationship satisfaction, perceived stress, and sleep quality. The results of the serial mediation analyses showed that partner phubbing was not a direct predictor of sleep quality. However, the relationship between partner phubbing and sleep quality was mediated by the four indirect paths through relationship satisfaction (β = 0.04, p < .05), perceived stress (β = 0.09, p < .05), relationship satisfaction-perceived stress (β = 0.02, p < .05), and perceived stress-relationship satisfaction (β = 0.00, p < .05). The findings suggest that partner phubbing may diminish sleep quality by reducing relationship satisfaction and increasing perceived stress levels. Alternatively, perceived stress exacerbated by partner phubbing could reduce relationship satisfaction, which eventually worsens sleep quality. Digital detox programs, group interventions, emotion-focused couple interventions, and stress management training can help overcome the effects of partner phubbing on sleep quality.

Increases in Psychological Stress Are Associated With Higher Fasting Glucose in US Chinese Immigrants.

The majority of Chinese Americans is foreign-born, and it is well-documented that immigration to the United States (US) leads to increased risk for chronic diseases including type 2 diabetes. Increased disease risk has been attributed to changes in lifestyle behaviors following immigration, but few studies have considered the psychosocial impact of immigration upon biomarkers of disease risk. To examine associations ofpsychological stress and social isolation with markers of type 2 diabetes risk over time among US Chinese immigrants. In this longitudinal study of 614 Chinese immigrants, participants completed assessments of perceived stress, acculturative stress, negative life events, and social isolation annually atthree time points. Fasting blood samples were obtained at each time point to measure blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, and insulin resistance. Mean duration between baseline and follow-up assessments was approximately 2 years. Increases in migration-related stress, perceived stress and social isolation were associated with significant increases in fasting glucose at follow-up independent of age, body mass index, length of US residence, and other potential covariates. Moreover, increases in glucose varied depending on perceived stress levels at baseline, such that those with higher baseline stress had a steeper increase in glucose over time. Psychological stress and social isolation are associated with increases in fasting glucose in a sample of US Chinese immigrants. Findings suggest that the unique experiences of immigration maybe involved in the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, a condition that is prevalent among US Chinese despite relatively low rates of obesity.

Factors associated with generalized anxiety disorder in adolescents with cultural diversity: secondary data analysis

BackgroundThe number of culturally diverse adolescents in South Korea has reached 290,000 and is increasing every year; however, they still represent only 2.5% of the total adolescent population in middle and high schools, making them a minority. Adolescents experiencing cultural diversity are psychologically vulnerable because they grow up in bicultural environments and experience prejudice. Given the nature of generalized anxiety disorder, which can be exacerbated by stress, these adolescents may face an increased risk of developing the disorder not only because of developmental stress but also because of the stress of cultural adaptation. To identify the prevalence of generalized anxiety disorder among adolescents with cultural diversity, we analyzed related factors. Based on the results, strategies have been proposed to reduce anxiety in adolescents with cultural diversity and generalized anxiety disorders.MethodsThis study used data from the 16th − 18th Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Factors associated with generalized anxiety disorders were identified based on the social determinants of the health framework. Statistical analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS 25.0, and statistical methods were used for complex samples.ResultsAmong adolescents with cultural diversity, 12.8% exhibited generalized anxiety disorders. Among the structural factors, economic status, mother’s education level, and gender were significantly associated with the disorder, whereas among the psychosocial factors, suicidal ideation, depressive mood, loneliness, perceived stress level, and subjective health status were significant factors influencing it.ConclusionThe factors identified in our research can be used as a resource for the early identification of culturally diverse adolescents who are vulnerable to generalized anxiety disorders. To prevent generalized anxiety disorder among adolescents with cultural diversity, school or community nurses can implement interventions to reduce loneliness or stress management programs.

B - 13 Effects of Individual and Community-Level Adverse Childhood Experiences and Current Psychopathology among Monolingual Spanish-Speaking Adult Neuropsychology Referrals

Abstract Objective The link between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and higher rates of psychopathology in adulthood has been well-established, though far less analogue research has examined this relationship among Latinx patients. This study assessed the relationship between ACEs and symptoms of anxiety, depression, and perceived stress among monolingual Spanish-speaking neuropsychology referrals. Method Data were culled from 27 adult neuropsychology referrals (mean age = 61.70; mean education = 8.59) neuropsychological referrals administered the ACE Questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Linear regression analyses examined the effect of exposure to individual (e.g., emotional, physical, sexual abuse, neglect, domestic violence) and community-level ACEs on depression, anxiety, and perceived stress symptom endorsement. Results Endorsement of more individual ACEs predicted higher levels of anxiety (R2 = 0.281; p = 0.009) and depression (R2 = 0.127; p = 0.075) symptoms, but not perceived stress levels (R2 = 0.037; p = 0.365. By contrast, endorsement of more community-level ACEs marginally predicted higher anxiety symptoms (R2 = 0.124; p = 0.071), but not depression symptoms (R2 = 0.020; p = 0.568) or perceived stress levels (R2 = 0.045; p = 0.319). Conclusions Experiencing more individual-level ACEs predicted greater anxiety and, to a lesser extent, depressive symptoms, whereas community-level ACEs did not predict similar levels of endorsement of active psychopathology among monolingual Spanish-speaking adults referred for neuropsychological evaluation. Findings emphasize the need of neuropsychologists to consider routinely assessing patient’s childhood trauma history and current psychopathology symptoms during evaluation to improve diagnostic accuracy and recommendations for Latinx patients.

Association between perceived stress, emotional eating, and adherence to healthy eating patterns among Saudi college students: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundCollege students are vulnerable to high perceived stress (PS) and emotional eating (EE) levels, which are associated with their food consumption. In this study, we aimed to examine the links between perceived stress, emotional eating, and adherence to a healthy eating index. Furthermore, we aimed to test whether sociodemographic data and health measures, including body mass index and physical activity, are associated with perceived stress, emotional eating, or healthy eating index.MethodsThis study included students from King Abdulaziz University. The participants completed validated perceived stress, emotional eating, and short healthy eating index surveys via an online questionnaire from September to December 2022. Univariate linear regression analysis was performed to examine the association between perceived stress, emotional eating, and adherence to healthy eating index using the short healthy eating index.ResultsOf 434 students (49.8% male, mean age 21.7 ± 3.0 years), 11.3% had low, 72.0% moderate, and 16.7% high perceived stress. Students with moderate perceived stress had the highest short healthy eating index score (P = 0.001), outperforming those with low and high perceived stress for fruit juice (P = 0.002), fruits (P\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\:<$$\\end{document}0.001), vegetables (P=0.03), greens and beans (P<0.001), whole grains (P=0.009), and seafood/plant proteins (P = 0.001) consumption. Also, emotional eating was significantly associated with short healthy eating index score (P = 0.04), fruit juice (P = 0.01) fruit consumption (P<0.001), added sugar (P=0.02) and saturated fatty acids (P = 0.03). Academic major was associated with perceived stress (P = 0.006) and emotional eating (p=0.04). Higher physical activity levels were associated with low perceived stress levels (P<0.001) and high short healthy eating index score (P=0.001), while high body mass index was associated with high emotional eating score (P<0.001).ConclusionsThe findings confirmed that students are highly vulnerable to moderate and high perceived stress levels. Furthermore, high perceived stress is inversely associated with adherence to a healthy eating index, especially for fruits, vegetables, greens and beans, whole grains, and seafood and plant proteins consumption. Emotional eating, also, associated with students dietary pattern. Physical activity will be beneficial for reducing the level of perceived stress and improving overall dietary patterns.

Sensing perceived urban stress using space syntactical and urban building density data: A machine learning-based approach

Human well-being is an essential criterion in achieving smart and sustainable cities. Given the significant influence of stress on individuals physical and mental health, various approaches have been proposed to examine the subjective experience of stress induced by the urban built environment and its effects on human well-being. Nevertheless, conducting assessments on a large scale continues to be a significant obstacle, particularly in today's context of rapid urbanization. This study utilized advancements in Machine Learning (ML) to develop a method for measuring perceived stress by analyzing urban building density, space syntactic characteristics, and visual features of the built environment. Through the utilization of ML models, a predictive approach has been developed that can capture the perceived stress levels of urban dwellers. The results are verified with public survey data, with R2 reaching 0.698 obtained by evaluating the mean stress scores of 25 districts in Seoul city. The findings demonstrate that the proposed approach can effectively measure perceived stress, enabling urban planners to analyze the spatial pattern of perceived stress and the influence of the built environment on this perception. This work expands current approaches, which concentrate solely on parks, open spaces, or streetscapes, by developing a more comprehensive predictive model for measuring perceived stress levels in various urban areas.

Does Self-Reported Trait Mindfulness Contribute to Reducing Perceived Stress in Women Who Practice Yoga and Are Physically Active?

(1) Background: This study aimed to investigate whether yoga practice and physical activity level play an essential role in trait mindfulness and perceived stress reduction. Moreover, the study examined the differences in trait mindfulness and perceived stress between women who practiced yoga and those who engaged in other physical activities or were physically inactive, taking into account the time spent on physical activity in accordance with the World Health Organization recommendations. (2) Methods: A sample of 201 women participated in a cross-sectional online-based study, including 96 yoga practitioners and 105 non-practitioners of yoga (including physically active and inactive individuals). The average age of the participants was 36 years (range, 18-72 years; M = 36.19, SD = 11.64). Respondents completed the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10). (3) Results: Women who practiced yoga and were physically active had a significantly higher level of trait mindfulness and lower perceived stress levels than women who did not practice yoga and were physically inactive. An indirect effect of physical activity on perceived stress through mindfulness was shown only for women practicing yoga for at least 150 min per week. (4) Conclusions: This study revealed the importance of frequent yoga practice in reducing perceived stress and improving mindfulness traits. These findings may serve as a basis for implementing preventive actions in women experiencing high levels of everyday stress.

Sleep quality and perceived stress levels in Chinese patients with minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis: a cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey

ABSTRACT Objectives This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate sleep quality and perceived stress levels in Chinese patients with active minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis (MiRAS) lesions, as well as to investigate the potential relationship between sleep quality and perceived stress levels and the risk of MiRAS episodes. Methods The study population consisted of individuals recruited from a Chinese cohort who underwent medical and oral examinations from March 2022 to August 2023. All participants completed a set of uniform anonymous questionnaires, which included sociodemographic characteristics, clinical information, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-14). Statistical analysis was conducted using the independent sample t test, Mann-Whitney U test, Pearson’s chi-square test and Pearson’s correlation analysis. After adjusting for potential confounders (age, gender, marital status, and education level), multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the associations of sleep quality and perceived stress levels with the risk of MiRAS episodes. Additionally, restricted cubic spline curves were constructed to visualize these correlations. Results A total of 329 eligible volunteers participated in the study, comprising 122 Chinese MiRAS patients and 207 healthy controls without MiRAS. Compared to healthy participants, MiRAS patients exhibited significantly higher PSQI and ISI scores (p = 0.000). However, no statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups regarding PSS-14 scores or its two subscales (p > 0.05). Multiple regression analysis indicated that lower sleep quality was significantly associated with an increased risk of MiRAS episodes (p = 0.000), whereas no statistically significant relationship was found between perceived stress levels and the risk of MiRAS episodes (p > 0.05). Conclusion Maintaining a regular bedtime and improving sleep quality may contribute to reducing the incidence and recurrence of MiRAS, while psychological intervention may be ineffective for MiRAS patients.

Understanding the Impact of Childbirth: Postnatal Stress Symptoms in Psychologically Stable Mothers

We investigated the relationship between physical activity and perceived stress levels among pregnant women. A total of 28 pregnant women participated in the study. All participants completed psychological tests to assess stress levels and coping strategies. The physically active (PA) group consisted of 15 women aged 26-40, engaging in moderate physical activity for up to 120 minutes per week across two training sessions. The inactive (NA) group included 13 women aged 24-39 who did not exercise. Unpaired T-test analysis revealed no significant differences in stress-coping strategies between exercising and non-exercising women. However, two coping scales—problem-focused coping and emotion-focused coping—showed tendencies: physically active women leaned slightly more toward religious coping (p = 0.15), while non-physically active women favored restraint coping (p = 0.17). Overall, perceived stress levels did not differ significantly between the groups. The study highlights the importance of using specialized tests for pregnant women due to the unique context of pregnancy. Keywords: physical activity, pregnant women, stress, prenatal maternal stress

Evaluating the Relationship Between Somatic Dysfunction, Physical Activity Level, and Perceived Stress Level: A Pilot Study

Evaluating the Relationship Between Somatic Dysfunction, Physical Activity Level, and Perceived Stress Level: A Pilot Study

The Effect of Laughter Yoga Applied to Intensive Care Nurses on Their Perceived Stress, Job Motivation, and Mental Well-being: Randomized Controlled Study.

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of laughter yoga applied to intensive care nurses on perceived stress, job motivation, and mental well-being. This study was a randomized controlled trial. The study was conducted with nurses working at the university hospital's surgical intensive care and anesthesia intensive care units of the third-level intensive care unit in Turkey. Data obtained from 30 participants in the intervention group and 33 participants in the control group were analyzed. The Nurse Introduction Form, Nurse Job Motivation Scale, Perceived Stress Scale, and Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale were used to collect data. Data obtained from the study were evaluated using the SPSS 22.0 package. It was determined that there was no statistically significant difference in the average scores of the pretest/posttest 1/posttest 2 of the Perceived Stress Scale (13.70 ± 3.33 to 14.57 ± 4.57, P > .05; 13.50 ± 3.15 to 13.48 ± 4.59, P > .05; and 13.56 ± 3.15 to 13.15 ± 3.49, P > .05, respectively) and Work Motivation Scale (59.70 ± 7.58 to 59.69 ± 7.98, P > .05; 60.30 ± 8.07 to 58.48 ± 8.94, P > .05; and 60.56 ± 7.86 to 57.93 ± 9.54, P > .05, respectively) for both the intervention and control groups of nurses. A statistically significant difference was found in the average scores of the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale pretest/posttest 1/posttest 2 for the intervention group of nurses (50.90 ± 7.60, 51.50 ± 7.80, and 53.70 ± 7.08, respectively; F = 3.330, P = .043). However, the difference was found to be insignificant in pairwise comparisons in the further analysis (a = b = c). It was determined that there was no statistically significant difference in the average scores of the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale pretest/posttest 1/posttest 2 for the control group of nurses (52.21 ± 9.89, 51.93 ± 10.45, and 51.03 ± 9.63, respectively; P > .05). The application of laughter yoga on intensive care nurses did not result in a significant change in perceived stress levels and work motivation. However, statistically significant differences were observed in the average mental well-being scores among the intervention group.

The Effects of Summer on Body Composition, Perceived Stress Level and Body Awareness of Young Women and Men: A University Example

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of summer on body composition, perceived stress and body awareness in young female and male university students. Methods: A total of 130 students (77 females, 53 males) aged between 18 and 26 years without any health complaints participated in the study. Body composition, stress level, body awareness and physical activity level of the participants were evaluated before the summer season in May-June and after the summer season in September-October. Bioelectrical impedance analysis, perceived stress scale, body awareness questionnaire and international physical activity scale were used for these assessments, respectively. Results: Statistical analysis revealed a statistically significant decrease in perceived stress, basal metabolic rate and cellular mass analyses in both sexes when the values before and after the summer season were compared (p

Structural Relationship Among Mindfulness, Perceived Stress Level, and Psychological Dependence on Smoking

Structural Relationship Among Mindfulness, Perceived Stress Level, and Psychological Dependence on Smoking

Perceived Stress in Medical Education: Relationship with Empathy and Stigmatisation

Objective: Medical students have been shown to report high levels of perceived stress. Perceived stress leads to a loss of empathy and negatively affects attitudes and behaviours towards patients. This study aimed to investigate the perceived stress levels and empathy skills of medical students and their relationship with their attitudes to mental illness. Material and Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Türkiye between March 2024 and April 2024 using an online survey. A total of 544 medical students attending university in the academic year 2023-2024 completed the questionnaire, which included the sociodemographic data form, the perceived medical school stress scale, the empathy scale, and the beliefs towards mental illness scale. Participants were asked whether they had received psychiatry training, whether they had been diagnosed with a mental illness, and whether they would disclose if they were diagnosed with a mental illness. Results: By gender, the mean Perceived Medical School Stress Scale score of females was statistically significantly higher than that of males (p=0.035). Perceived Medical School Stress Scale scores did not differ by training year, whereas Beliefs Towards Mental Illness Scale Weak Social and Interpersonal Skills sub-dimension scores did (p=0.643; and p=0.027, respectively). The Empathy Scale score of students who received psychiatry training was statistically significantly higher than that of students who did not receive a placement (p=0.003). A low significant negative correlation was found between the Perceived Medical School Stress and Empathy Scale scores (rho=-0.098; p=0.005). Conclusion: In our study, the perceived stress of medical students during their training differs according to gender, and its relationship with empathy skills is demonstrated. Individualised interventions to prevent and alleviate stress should be developed for students who need support coping with difficulties during their training.

Navigating Perceived Stress: Experiences of Nursing Students Completing Internships during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Spain.

Background: University students often experience psychological strains such as academic stress, particularly as they approach the transition into the workforce. This stress may have been heightened for nursing students who completed internships during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the perceived stress levels of undergraduate nursing students. Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive observational study was conducted using the Spanish version of the PSS-10 scale, a validated reduction of the English version PSS-14, to evaluate perceived stress. The responses are Likert-type with a total score range of 0 to 40. Questionnaires were distributed electronically to nursing students across all academic years who were engaged in clinical practice. Participation was voluntary. Results: The study included 487 students, the majority of whom were women (78.4%) with an average age of 23.51 years. Most participants were in their third and fourth years (67%). The mean perceived stress score was 20.65 (SD = 5.62) out of a possible 40, indicating moderate stress levels. Statistically significant differences in perceived stress were found between genders, with women reporting higher stress levels than men (Mann-Whitney U = 15,380.000; p < 0.001). Additionally, a significant correlation was observed between the overall perceived stress score and gender, as well as between specific items on the PSS-10 scale and gender, highlighting the importance of gender-specific stress management interventions. Conclusions: Nursing students reported moderate levels of perceived stress, with women experiencing higher stress levels than men. These findings highlight the need for targeted stress management interventions for nursing students, especially during health crises. Addressing gender-specific stressors and fostering a supportive educational environment will enhance students' well-being, academic success, and professional preparedness.

Posttraumatic growth and its associations with perceived stress and core beliefs in women after traumatic childbirth during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic added new challenges and stressors to the childbirth period, potentially increasing the risk of traumatic childbirth experiences. There is little known about posttraumatic growth (PTG) in a childbearing population. This study describes PTG in women after traumatic childbirth during the COVID-19 pandemic and its association with sociodemographic, birth-related characteristics, traumatic childbirth events, perceived stress, and core beliefs, as well as explores what factors predict PTG. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 202 women who self-identified as having experienced traumatic childbirth. Measures included sociodemographic and birth-related characteristics, traumatic childbirth events, self-reported stress during childbirth, the PTG Inventory, and the Core Beliefs Inventory (CBI). Perceived stress at the time of birth was very high in 70% of the respondents. CBI showed moderate disruption of core beliefs. 41.6% of mothers indicated substantial PTG. Education and type of birth were related to perceived stress levels; higher disruption of core beliefs was observed in individuals who experienced perineal trauma and lack of partners' presence during childbirth, and higher disruption of core beliefs was positively associated with PTG. Predictive models showed that perceived stress had a minimal effect, while the disruption of core beliefs showed a significant positive association with PTG. Traumatic childbirth experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic were positively related to PTG. Health professionals should create an environment where women can explore their feelings and emotions. Changes in current practices are also necessary as cesareans have been shown to be highly associated with high levels of perceived stress.

Evaluating the feasibility and preliminary effects of an online compassion training program for nursing students: A pilot randomized controlled trial

ObjectivesThis study aimed to assess the feasibility of an online compassion training program for nursing students and preliminarily investigate its effects on mindfulness, self-compassion, and stress reduction. MethodsThis study employed a randomized controlled trial design. Second-year students from a nursing college in Guangzhou, China, were recruited as research participants in August 2023. The intervention group participated in an 8-week online compassion training program via the WeChat platform, comprising three stages: mindfulness (weeks 1–2), self-compassion (weeks 3–5), and compassion for others (weeks 6–8). Each stage included four activities: psychoeducation, mindfulness practice, weekly diary, and emotional support. Program feasibility was assessed through recruitment and retention rates, program engagement, and participant acceptability. Program effectiveness was measured with the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale, Self-Compassion Scale - Short Form, and Perceived Stress Scale. ResultsA total of 28 students completed the study (13 in the intervention group, 15 in the control group). The recruitment rate was 36.46%, with a high retention rate of 93.3%. Participants demonstrated high engagement: 69.2% accessed learning materials every 1–2 days, 93.3% practiced mindfulness at least weekly, with an average of 4.69 diary entries submitted per person and 23.30 WeChat interactions with instructors. Regarding acceptability, all participants expressed satisfaction with the program, with 92.4% finding it “very helpful” or “extremely helpful.” In terms of intervention effects, the intervention group showed a significant increase in mindfulness levels from pre-intervention (51.54 ± 10.93) to post-intervention (62.46 ± 13.58) (P < 0.05), while no significant change was observed in the control group. Although there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in post-intervention self-compassion and perceived stress levels, the intervention group showed positive trends: self-compassion levels increased (35.85 ± 8.60 vs. 40.85 ± 5.54), and perceived stress levels slightly decreased (44.77 ± 8.65 vs. 42.00 ± 5.77). ConclusionsThis pilot study demonstrated the feasibility of an online compassion training program for nursing students and suggested its potential effectiveness in enhancing mindfulness, self-compassion, and stress reduction. Despite limitations such as small sample size and lack of long-term follow-up, preliminary evidence indicates promising prospects for integrating such training into nursing education. Further research is warranted to confirm these findings and assess the sustained impact of this approach on nursing education and practice.

The effect of nurses' perceived stress on their work engagement and perceived professional benefit during the routine management of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a previous study, more attention has been given to the psychological state of doctors than to that of nurses although the workload, working hours, and patient contact time are generally higher for nurses than doctors. The current status of nurses' perceived stress, work engagement, and perceived professional benefit during the routine management of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and how their perceived stress affects the other two variables are topics that merit research attention. In this study, the status of nurses' perceived stress, work engagement, and perceived professional benefit during the routine management of the COVID-19 pandemic was investigated to explore whether their perceived stress level has any effect on the other two variables. The convenience sampling method was adopted, and 669 nurses from the First People's Hospital of Jingzhou were selected to participate in this study. Questionnaires on perceived stress, work engagement, and perceived professional benefit were used in the survey, and the data were processed using the SPSS 20.0 program for the descriptive statistics, independent sample t-test, analysis of variance. The total score of the nurses' perceived stress was 18.58±4.37 points. The total scores of their work engagement (43.32±14.01) and perceived professional benefit (140.23±17.75). The nurses' total perceived stress score was at an upper-middle level, and their total work engagement and perceived professional benefit scores were relatively high. Overall, perceived stress has a negative effect on nurses' work engagement and perceived professional benefit. That is, the higher the pressure perception of nurses, the lower the degree of work engagement and perceived professional benefit.