Professional Quality Of Life Research Articles

Relationship Between Psychological Flexibility and Professional Quality of Life in Nurses Working in Psychiatric Clinic

Introduction: This study aims to evaluate the association between psychological flexibility and the professional quality of life of nurses working in a mental clinic. Methods: In an eastern Turkish mental health facility, 151 nurses participated in this descriptive and correlational study. Surveys prepared through Google Forms were shared with nurses using WhatsApp groups. The study used the “Personal Information Form”, “Psychological Flexibility Scale” and “Professional Quality of Life Scale”, to evaluate the psychological flexibility and quality of life of psychiatric nurses. The data was collected online and analyzed in the SPSS 26.0 program. Results: Based on the results of the analysis, nurses' psychological flexibility levels were found to be above average, professional satisfaction levels were found to be below average, and burnout and empathy fatigue levels were found to be moderate. Psychological flexibility, occupational satisfaction, and empathy fatigue were found to be significantly positively correlated; however, burnout was not found to be significantly correlated. Psychological flexibility explained 20.3% of professional satisfaction and 7.8% of professional quality of life. Conclusion: This study showed that the psychological flexibility of psychiatric nurses positively affected their professional quality of life. Implementation of psychosocial approaches based on acceptance and mindfulness strategies to increase the psychological flexibility of nurses and to improve professional satisfaction.

A Cluster Analysis of Professional Quality of Life and Post-Traumatic Growth Amongst Medical Social Workers in Mainland China

A Cluster Analysis of Professional Quality of Life and Post-Traumatic Growth Amongst Medical Social Workers in Mainland China

Trauma focused-cognitive behavioral therapy training effectiveness in promoting professional development of psychotherapists working with unaccompanied minors in Greece: a non-blinded randomized control trial.

The need to develop psychotherapists' skills to respond to current treatment challenges, such as addressing trauma due to the refugee crisis, is increasing. However, there is a dearth of evidencebased training for psychotherapists who work with refugees, especially in frontline countries. A randomly selected sample of 80 clinicians working with unaccompanied minors (UAMs) in Greek accommodation centers nationwide participated in an intensive trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) training (n=44) or a control-group (n=36) and completed the Professional Quality of Life Scale, the Work and Meaning Inventory and a questionnaire to assess knowledge and therapeutic skills, in pre-andpost measurements. Clinicians with 1-3 years of experience with refugees reported higher burnout (p=0.012, M=25.78 vs M=22.04) and secondary traumatic stress than those with less than a year (p=0.014, M=22.03 vs M=18.04). Positive meaning at work increased in both groups at post-test (TF-CBT group: p=0.019, M=15 vs M=13.6, and control group: p<0.001, M=15.17 vs M=13.42). The TF-CBT training group outperformed the control group in knowledge and skills (p=0.021, M=10.15 vs M=8.75) and identified a lower number of children with post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms (p=0.009, M=6.94 vs M=4.33) post-training. This study provides preliminary evidence on TF-CBT training effectiveness in equipping psychotherapists to work with UAMs, while their professional quality of life warrants further research.

South African speech-language therapists' and audiologists' professional quality of life.

Limited research is available regarding the professional quality of life experiences of South African speech-language therapists and audiologists, despite the implications this has for wellbeing, quality of patient care, productivity and attrition from the professions. This study explored levels of compassion satisfaction, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress, the relationships between these, differences on the basis of registration and years of experience and participants' perceptions of their professional quality of life. A sample of 92 South African speech-language therapists and audiologists completed an online survey that included the Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL) scale. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, analysis of variation (ANOVA), correlations and thematic analysis. The findings indicated that participants experienced slightly higher levels of secondary traumatic stress and burnout and slightly lower levels of compassion satisfaction than international samples. There were significant inter-relationships between the three elements of professional quality of life, and no significant differences for these on the basis of registration or years of experience. Participants identified a range of factors that contributed to their experiences of compassion satisfaction and fatigue, as well as suggestions for improvement. Professional quality of life plays an important role in South African speech-language therapists and audiologists' professionalism, job performance and satisfaction and retention.Contribution:The data collected provide valuable insights into the professional quality of life experiences of South African speech-language therapists and audiologists, as well as those working in similar contexts. It also offers suggestions that may contribute to future research and interventions.

Effects of Emotional Labor, Work-Life Balance, and Empowerment on the Professional Quality of Life of Korean Nurses.

This descriptive survey study aimed to investigate the effects of emotional labor, work-life balance, and empowerment on nurses' professional quality of life (ProQOL) and provide foundational data for improving the ProQOL of Korean nurses. Nurses who had been working for at least six months in hospitals in Yeosu, Suncheon, and Gwangyang, the Republic of Korea, were surveyed in April 2022. Using a structured questionnaire, data were collected on general characteristics, emotional labor, work-life balance, empowerment, and ProQOL. The collected data were analyzed using frequency analysis, independent t-tests, analyses of variance, post-hoc tests, Pearson's correlation analysis, and multiple regression analysis. ProQOL was negatively correlated with emotional labor (r=-0.550, P<0.001) and positively correlated with work-life balance (r=0.680, P<0.001) and empowerment (r=0.454, P<0.001). Emotional labor (β= -0.27, P<0.001), work-life balance (β=0.44, P<0.001), and empowerment (β=0.28, P<0.001) were identified as the predictors of ProQOL, such that reduced emotional labor and increased work-life balance and empowerment enhanced ProQOL. These factors explained 62.1% of the variance in the ProQOL of Korean nurses (F=42.86, P<0.001). To enhance the ProQOL of Korean nurses, it is vital to help them adjust their work-life balance, decrease their emotional labor, and increase their empowerment.

Closing the Gaps: An Integrative Review of Yoga's Benefits for Lymphedema in Breast Cancer Survivors.

Dissection of the axillary lymph nodes during surgery for breast cancer with lymph node involvement is burdened by a complication: lymphedema. Approximately half of women undergoing axillary dissection suffer from it, with a notable impact in terms of perceived discomfort, presented quality of life, and alteration of body image. There is also no shortage of problems in the patient's social and professional life. The present review aims to select Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) present in the literature regarding the effects of yoga as an alternative therapy in patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema. A search of four databases was undertaken: Cochrane, Pubmed, Scopus, and Web of Science. The searches were conducted on 19 May 2024, and updated to 30 June 2024 without date limits. RCTs without language limitations, in any context, and with any yoga variant were considered. The postulated search strings highlighted a total of 69 potentially eligible studies. The study selection system consisted of two levels of screening, (1) abstract selection and (2) full-text selection, for a total of three studies included in the review. The three RCTs included involved mixed treatment sessions in an outpatient setting with a yoga teacher and at home using a DVD. In the various studies, the outcome measures concerned quality of life, ROM, spinal mobility, limb volume, and tissue induration. According to the analysis of the data obtained, yoga as an alternative therapy could be useful if combined with the usual care routine in women with lymphedema related to sensory cancer, in terms of improving physical, professional, and emotional quality of life and reducing symptoms such as fatigue, pain, and insomnia. Furthermore, yoga could bring about a reduction in tissue induration of the limb, greater spinal mobility evaluated in terms of improvement of the pelvic and kyphotic angle, and greater strength in shoulder abduction.

Euthymia, Psychological Well-Being, and Professional Quality of Life in Health Care Workers.

Euthymia is a transdiagnostic construct characterized by the presence of positive mood states, psychological flexibility and resilience. These components contribute to psychological wellbeing and support mental functioning. Exposure to suffering and high levels of stress can lead to the onset of burnout and secondary traumatic stress, but also lack of compassion satisfaction. The study aimed to test the existing relationships between euthymia, psychological well-being, and factors associated with quality of life of healthy participants involved in medical settings. The sample was composed of 177 healthy participants involved in medical settings, 118 women (66.7%) and 59 men (33.3%) aged between 19 and 69 years old (mean = 27.16; SD = 8.47). Standardized psychodiagnostics instruments were used to assess euthymia (Euthymia Scale-ES), psychological well-being (The Well-Being Index scale-WHO-5) and the quality of life of the involved participants (Professional Quality of Life Measure-ProQOL-5). The results showed that gender, well-being and psychological well-being were predictors of compassion satisfaction and secondary traumatic stress. Specifically, female gender predicted higher levels of compassion satisfaction. Well-being and psychological flexibility predicted higher levels of compassion satisfaction and lower secondary traumatic stress. Psychological well-being predicted higher levels of compassion satisfaction. Promoting euthymia and well-being helps individuals to preserve psychological well-being and increase tolerance to stressful life situations. Results highlighted the need for promoting health care professionals' euthymia and well-being. In line with evidence, encouraging interventions based on evidence appears relevant.

A Qualitative Descriptive Exploration of the Experiences of Therapists Who Work With Burn Survivors

Abstract Date Presented 03/23/24 This qualitative descriptive study explores the experiences of therapists who work with burn survivors. This abstract presents six emergent themes discussing the physical, mental, and emotional impacts on therapists’ professional quality of life. Primary Author and Speaker: Miranda Yelvington Contributing Authors: Stacey Reynolds, Rachel Wood

Premenstrual syndrome among medical versus non-medical workers and its association with work-related quality of life

BackgroundPremenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a commonly underestimated disorder that negatively impacts a woman’s life. Medical workers, who live a more stressful life, may report an increased rate of PMS. Studies on the relationship between PMS and work-related quality of life for medical professionals are scarce, particularly in the Arab world. This study aimed to compare the frequency of PMS among medical versus non-medical workers at Zagazig University and to assess the association between PMS and their work-related quality of life.MethodsA comparative cross-sectional study was conducted. The sample population consisted of 48 medical and 48 non-medical female workers aged 18–45 years from Zagazig University. The two groups filled out a questionnaire with 3 parts: sociodemographic and occupational data, the Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool (PSST), and the Work-Related Quality of Life Scale (WRQL).ResultsSevere PMS was reported in 45.8% of medical workers versus 20.8% of non-medical workers with a statistically significant difference between both groups (p = 0.009). Binary logistic regression showed that being a medical worker, clinical specialty, ≥ 8 years of work, ≥ 24 working hours per week, and having a non-set hourly schedule were predictors for severe PMS. PMS was found to be a statistically significant predictor of poor WRQL (p < 0.001). There was a highly significant negative correlation between the PMS score and the WRQL score (r = − 0.302, p < 0.001).ConclusionAmong medical workers, PMS is more common and more severe, and WRQL is worse and negatively correlated with PMS. We suggest further studies with larger samples to prove this association and planning for public health programs to screen for and manage PMS among medical workers in our community.

Exploring the effects of a graduate level trauma-informed care education program for child welfare professionals

The national child welfare agency in Ireland identified the integration of trauma-informed practices as a service need, in the current significantly challenging practice climate. A promising program that meets the need of child welfare professionals to support need has been developed and is reported on in this paper. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a newly developed post-graduate level trauma-informed care program for professionals in the national child welfare agency in Ireland. Study participants were 41 child welfare professionals that included front-line practitioners, supervisors, and senior managers. A pretest–posttest study design was used, data was collected over three-time points to measure the effects of the program on pre-defined outcomes of Trauma-informed Knowledge, Professional Self-efficacy, Professional Quality of Life, and Intention to Leave. Statistically significant positives effects were found in trauma-informed knowledge, professional confidence, burn-out and compassion fatigue/secondary traumatic stress, with effect sizes ranging from medium-large to large (η2=.133toη2=.721) across the intervention time period. The positive impacts arising from the program were sustained for 3 months post-intervention. The results of this initial evaluation are promising in supporting child welfare professionals’ capacity to integrate trauma-informed practices and addressing the need for trauma informed practitioners. The need for further research is highlighted.

The effect of dispositional resilience on the relationship between professional quality of life and psychological distress factors of nurses during the pandemic: A three-wave longitudinal study.

COVID-19 overwhelmed all healthcare workers, especially nurses, who worked tirelessly in patient care in extremely stressful situations. Italy, with its hospital overcrowding and staff shortages, exacerbated these negative consequences. A three-wave prospective longitudinal-design was adopted to use validated scales to examine the trend of stress, anxiety, depression and resilience on the professional quality of life of nurses who worked during the pandemic. During an 8-month period, a sample of 411 individuals was recruited and surveyed three times. Resilience showed an increasing positive trend from the first to the third wave, increasing its effects on the outcomes and demonstrating its important protective role. The compassion fatigue showed progressively higher scores in the three waves, indicating greater workload perception and greater difficulty in managing the patients' perceived stress. Burnout increased in the first compared to second waves but decreased significantly in the third wave, due to the effect of resilience on burnout that was significantly stronger in the third wave. Our findings align with the literature about the role of resilience and emphasize the importance of investing in strategies aimed at developing resilience in healthcare workers and providing prevention and assistance to them in terms of job demands and unsustainable stressors.

How adverse childhood experiences impact the professional quality of life of residential care workers: resilience as a mediator for burnout, secondary traumatic stress, and compassion satisfaction

IntroductionThe well-being of trauma-affected children and youth in residential care settings is contingent upon the well-being of the workers who care for them, who are increasingly expected to provide care in a trauma-informed manner. The well-being of residential care workers (RCWs) may be impacted by their own histories of adversity, their capacity individually and collectively to navigate to resources that sustain their well-being (resilience), and current perceptions of their professional quality of life.ObjectiveThis study aimed to fill a research gap by canvassing the perspectives of RCWs to determine what and how they need to be supported in their work. We sought to better understand what personal (adverse childhood experiences, resilience) and professional (compassion satisfaction, burnout, secondary traumatic stress) experiences and capacities they bring into their work that might impact the quality of care they provide to children and youth.MethodA sample of 226 residential care workers from four residential care organizations across three Canadian provinces completed a self-report questionnaire to provide a portrait of their history of adverse childhood experiences as measured by the ACE questionnaire, which included two additional questions reflecting the more nuanced and expanded understanding of potential adversity in childhood in the Canadian context; their resilience, as measured by the Adult Resilience Measure; and compassion satisfaction, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress, as measured by the Professional Quality of Life Measure. Mediation was conducted to examine whether and how resilience mediated the relationship between ACEs and professional quality of life indicators.Results(1) RCWs reported experiencing ACEs at rates much higher than general population and norm samples, especially regarding the experience of 4–5+ ACEs, known to be a threshold for increased severity in negative outcomes; (2) RCWs experienced levels of resilience and indicators of professional quality of life similar to those in other human services professions serving trauma-impacted individuals; and (3) RCW resilience significantly mediated the relationship between ACEs and compassion satisfaction, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress, and had a significant total effect for the relationship between ACEs and secondary traumatic stress. These results suggest the importance of enhancing RCW resilience in multiple ways, mainly in their professional contexts. Recommendations for resilience enhancement and suggestions for future research are provided.

Understanding Rewarding and Challenging Nursing Experiences During the Pandemic in Five Countries: Toward Strengthening the Workforce.

Nurses are now more likely to leave their current role in direct patient care than they were before the COVID-19 pandemic. Country culture and the organization of health care systems drive nurses' decisions to leave or stay in the profession. In a fall 2020 survey of nurse professional quality of life, a content analysis of responses to the open-ended question, "What has been challenging or rewarding during this pandemic experience?" was performed. Results were organized within Hofstede's Cultural Dimensions Theory. Six hundred and fifty-six nurses across five countries responded to the question; 526 comments were analyzed. Most (53.6%) respondents were staff bedside nurses. Themes, such as Distress and Fatigue and Building and Experiencing Social Capital were found and understood to reflect cultural values and dimensions such as Uncertainty Avoidance and Power Distance. Recommendations include strengthening culturally tailored leadership knowledge to inform and facilitate countries' nurse retention.

Professional quality of life in cardiovascular nurses: differences between cardiology and pediatric cardiology clinic - pilot study

Abstract Background/Introduction Nursing can be a rewarding profession as it involves helping others. However, it is demanding, particularly for Cardiovascular nurses who may be exposed to stressful situations, patient suffering, and death. Additionally, work-related issues such as shift work, work overload, and excessive bureaucracy can pose challenges. It is necessary to consider that caring for children presents unique challenges compared to caring for adults, which can impact the Professional Quality of Life (ProQoL) and its domains. Purpose In this study, we aimed to investigate differences in ProQoL between nurses working in pediatric cardiology and adult cardiology units. Methods Nurses working in pediatric cardiology and adult cardiology units were enrolled in the study. The Polish version of the ProQoL 5 questionnaire was collected using a paper form. The specific domains of satisfaction, job burnout, and stress were calculated according to the questionnaire key. Moreover, data on age, additional places of employment and working hours were collected. The study examined the relationship between these factors and ProQoL domain scores using the R-Spearman correlation. Scores from each domain were compared between clinics using U-Mann-Whitney tests and a two-sided Fisher's exact test. Results The study involved 13 pediatric cardiology staff: six midwives, six nurses, one paramedic, and 29 adult cardiology staff: 26 nurses, two paramedics and one medical caretaker. No differences were found in any of the ProQoL domains between those working with children and those working with adults: p=0.74 for satisfaction, p=0.90 for burnout and p=0.77 for stress. A trend of lower age was observed among those working in the Paediatric Cardiology Department. The majority of nurses, regardless of ward, reported high or intermediate job satisfaction, as well as low or moderate levels of stress and burnout. Only one person employed in the adult Cardiology department reported a low level of job satisfaction. Older age was associated with higher job satisfaction (R=0.32; p=0.04) and lower levels of burnout (R=-0.31; p=0.048). Additionally, a higher number of working hours per month was associated with burnout (R=0.41; p=0.007). Satisfaction was negatively associated with burnout (R=-0.51; p&amp;lt;0.001) and positively correlated with stress (R=0.35; p=0.04). However, burnout was not associated with stress (p=0.56). Conclusions Regardless of the different work specifications in departments, related to working with children or adults, the ProQoL does not differ significantly. Older age may be positively associated with ProQoL. It may be the result of greater work experience. A higher number of working hours per month is associated with burnout, so it is therefore appropriate to emphasize the importance of occupational health and encourage not to overwork. A multicentre study could further define the differences in ProQoL and the influencing factors.

Professional Quality of Life in Forensic Healthcare Staff: The Role of Emotional Intelligence, Emotion Regulation Strategies and Trauma-Related Symptoms

ABSTRACT This study aimed to explore the relationship of emotional intelligence, emotion regulation strategies and trauma symptoms with professional quality of life in forensic healthcare staff. A cross-sectional design sampled participants (N = 100) who completed the Professional Quality of Life Scale, Los Angeles Symptom Checklist, Trait-Meta Mood Scale, and the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted. Results found that higher post-traumatic symptoms and lower emotional clarity, resulted in increased levels of burnout and compassion fatigue and reduced compassion satisfaction. Further research should consider the interplay between interpersonal and organizational factors in predicting quality of life within forensic healthcare staff.

Professional Quality of Life and Advance Care Planning Self-efficacy of Medical and Surgical Nurses

Professional Quality of Life and Advance Care Planning Self-efficacy of Medical and Surgical Nurses

Professional quality of life, psychological well-being, and work engagement of healthcare professionals in two Greek hospitals during COVID-19: A cross-sectional study.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the mental health of healthcare professionals has emerged as an issue of great concern. To investigate the levels of professional quality of life, psychological well-being, and work engagement among healthcare professionals in two Greek hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional study was conducted in December 2021 in two public hospitals in Greece. To assess the levels of professional quality of life, psychological well-being, and work engagement, respondents completed the Professional Quality of Life Scale Version 5 (ProQOL-V), the Psychological Well-being (PWB) scale, and the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-17). A total of 150 questionnaires were distributed, and 102 were returned (response rate: 68%). It was found that as burnout levels increased, the levels of work engagement decreased (rho = -0.36, p-value < 0.01). Higher levels of compassion satisfaction were associated with higher work engagement (rho = 0.48, p-value < 0.01). Multivariable analysis revealed that healthcare personnel's contact with patients or service users exposed to or who have experienced traumatic events was associated with less positive relationships with others (and, consequently, lower levels of psychological well-being) (p-value = 0.035). Healthcare professionals in the two public hospitals in Greece, experienced moderate levels of compassion satisfaction, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their psychological well-being was also found to be moderate, and their levels of work engagement were moderate to high. Supporting the physical and psychological well-being of healthcare professionals is essential for their ability to provide high-quality care in times of crisis, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Criminal Justice Staff’s Professional Quality of Life and Interactions with Justice-Involved Individuals: The Moderating Role of Stigma

ABSTRACT Criminal justice staff work in a challenging setting and yet are often expected to promote positive change in justice-involved individuals. This study examined the 1) types of supportive interactions criminal justice staff engage in with justice-involved individuals, 2) association between staff’s professional quality of life (i.e. burnout, secondary traumatic stress, compassion satisfaction) and their endorsement of supportive interactions, and 3) the moderating impact of stigmatizing attitudes. Criminal justice staff across the U.S. (n = 152) completed demographic questionnaires, the Professional Quality of Life-V, Attitudes Toward Prisoners scale, and endorsed types of supportive interactions they engaged in with justice-involved individuals in the past year. Bivariate correlations, Poisson regressions, and moderation analyses were conducted. Staff with traditional helping roles (e.g. psychologists), higher degrees obtained, and more compassion satisfaction (i.e. one’s gratification from their job) engaged in more types of supportive interactions. Staff with more stigma toward justice-involved individuals engaged in fewer types of supportive interactions. Staff’s stigma, as a moderator, strengthened the association between compassion satisfaction and the types of supportive interactions staff endorsed. Criminal justice agencies should continue training to improve working relationships between staff and clients, increase compassion satisfaction, and reduce stigma to potentially impact justice-involved individuals’ behavior during and after incarceration.

Professional Quality of Life among Healthcare Workers: A Case Study Conducted during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Coronavirus is an infectious respiratory disease. Following its outbreak in China, the virus spread rapidly throughout the world. Consequently, the WHO declared it as a serious international emergency concern. The healthcare workers (HCWs) fighting as active and critical frontline warriors during the COVID-19 pandemic were at a high risk of exhibiting psychosocial stress and mental health symptoms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the professional quality of life of healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The population of this research consisted of 238 HCWs. The data was collected through online Google forms and participants were assessed by using professional quality of life tool (ProQOL-5). The results showed that the majority (84.2%) of HCWs had average compassion satisfaction (CS), while only 14.6% had high CS scores. For burnout, the majority had average scores whereas only 8.3% had a low count of burnout. Similarly, the majority of the participants had average secondary traumatic (ST) stress (88.3%), while 9.2% had low ST stress, and 2.5% had high ST stress. This study concluded that the healthcare workers (HCWs) had average CS, burnout, and ST stress

Evaluation of the quality of professional life of medical staff in three emergency medicine units from Romania

Evaluation of the quality of professional life of medical staff in three emergency medicine units from Romania