Relationship between dysfunctional attitudes and mental health in psychiatric nurses

Introduction: Psychiatric nurses face numerous acute stresses in their workplace that can adversely affect their job performance and the quality of their health services. Many factors affect the mental health of psychiatric nurses, including dysfunctional attitudes. hence, the present study aims to investigate the relationship between dysfunctional attitudes and the mental health in psychiatric nurses. Methodology: A descriptive study was conducted on 96 psychiatric nurses working in a psychiatric hospital in Isfahan in 2018. The participant were selected using convenience sampling and the data were collected using the Dysfunctional Attitudes Scale and the Symptom Checklist-25. Findings: The results indicated an inverse relationship between the mean scores of mental health and dysfunctional attitudes (p .05). In addition, there was no significant difference between males and females in terms of the mean scores of mental health and dysfunctional attitudes (p > .05). Conclusion: The study findings confirm the role of dysfunctional attitudes in mental health in psychiatric nurses. The health system authorities are recommended to identify and control the causes of dysfunctional attitudes among psychiatric nurses in order to reduce the risks and consequences and improve the quality of nursing services. Training courses for nurses on the importance and necessity of mental health, as well as the risks and consequences of dysfunctional attitudes, can be effective in this regard

The Experiences of Employed Women Related to their Maternal Role: A Phenomenological Qualitative Research

Introduction: Regarding recent social and economic changes and developments and the increasing presence of working women in society, paying more attention to the importance of maternal role among working women who face multiple roles is necessary. Therefore, this study describes the experiences of working women related to their maternal role. Method: This was a qualitative research, in which the phenomenological approach was used. The participants were selected from women working in one of the units of Islamic Azad University, Iran. Purposive sampling was used to select 9 participants. In-depth interviews were the main data collection method. In addition, data were analyzed through Colaizzi’s method. Reliability and validity of the present study was rooted in the four axes of real value, applicability, continuity, and being based on reality. Results: Data analysis led to the extraction of 414 primary codes, 25 subthemes, and 7 main themes including different pregnancy, supportive umbrella, role alteration, role overlap, role strain, gradual adaptation, and erosion. Conclusion: The acceptance of numerous roles, such as maternal and marital roles, by working women results in various role expectations of them from their children, spouses, family, and the society. This, in turn, forces them to meet both familial and occupational needs and expectations. However, since maternal role is considered as one of the most important roles of women, this obviously, intentionally or unintentionally, can affect the maternal role and cause role conflicts for working mothers. Based on the findings of the current study, this important role of working mothers is accompanied by much hardship and difficulty and it is a completely different process than that experienced by non-working mothers. Since this may affect their physical and mental health, it necessitates more attention. Keywords: Experiences of working women, Maternal role, Phenomenolog

The Evaluation of Some Academic Nursing Lessons Application in Clinical Practice from Recruiting Nurses' Point of View in Some Selected Hospitals in Isfahan

Background & Objective: Nursing is a combination of knowledge and art and all aspects of theoretical and practical teaching of nursing must emphasize on these two points, but practically the gap between what is theoretically taught at university and what is practically experienced at work is very big. Therefore in this study it is aimed to evaluate the application of some academic nursing lessons in practical work from recruiting nurses' point of view. Methods : This research is an analytical- descriptive one. Some hospitals in Isfahan were selected using random sampling method. All recruiting nurses in mentioned hospitals were 78 and all of them were questioned by the research questionnaire which was in two sections: demographic information and a section about the application of nursing lessons in clinical practice. Results : The findings indicated that most of the subjects were female (84.6%), graduated from Azad universities (64.1%) had a 6-12 months career experience (47.4%) and were working at emergency wards(20.5%).In addition, the highest mean( ±SD) of the applied lessons at work was for medical-surgical nursing lessons 34.68( ± 2.43) and the lowest one was for maternity child nursing lessons 11.58( ±4.34) there was no significant difference between the mean application of different lessons and it was the same regarding gender but the increase in career experiences showed the decrease in clinical application mean in community health nursing and psychiatric nursing (P=0.025 and P=0.04 respectively). According to Azad universities graduates' point of view, medical surgical nursing and, maternity child nursing lessons were more applicable in clinical practice (P=0.03 and P=0.016 respectively). Conclusion : According to the above findings and studies which were already conducted, it seems that there is a noticeable gap between nursing theoretical lessons and nursing clinical practice. Therefore this gap must be filled by changing the outlines of university lessons and nursing educational curriculums. Keywords: University lessons, Practical work, Nursing, Theoretical gap, Clinical Practice

Active Learning: An Approach for Reducing Theory-Practice Gap in Clinical Education

Introduction: The gap between theory and practice in clinical fields, including nursing, is one of the main problems that many solutions have been suggested to eliminate it. In this article, we have tried to investigate its solution through active learning. Methods: In this review article, searching articles published during 2000-2012 was done through library references, scientific databases. Results: Among many essays and other sources, 36 articles, which were more related to active learning and its role in reducing theory-practice gap, were selected. In this article, we have tried to consider new methods that were not much regarded in Persian sources. Conclusion: Most active learning methods, especially task-based learning, practice-based learning and performance-based learning in which learner participate in the learning process and prepare for deep learning are effective to eliminate the gap. Since these methods are less used in training nurses in our country, this article explained these methods and how to use them in practice

Effects of supportive-educative program on quality of life of adolescents living with a parent with cancer

Background: Cancer has significant traumatic effects on the family members of the patients, particularly in Asia's tightly knitted families. Research evidence suggests a debilitating impact of cancer on the quality of life of the afflicted individuals, their spouses, and their families. Since a few studies have been carried out on the quality of life of adolescents living with parents diagnosed with cancer, especially in Iran, the research team decided to evaluate the quality of life of them and also investigate the effects of supportive-educative program on it. Materials and Methods: The present quasi-experimental, one-group study had a pre-test–post-test design and was performed in Esfahan in 2014. The sample of this study consisted of 30 adolescents. The data gathering tool was the short form of quality of life questionnaire (SF-36). Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and paired sample t-test. P-value of 0.05 was considered significant. Results: The paired sample t-test showed that before and after presenting the program, there were significant statistical differences in some aspects of quality of life, such as physical functioning (P = 0.01), energy/fatigue (P < 0.0001), emotional well-being (P < 0.0001), social functioning (P = 0.001), pain (P < 0.0001), and general health (P = 0.01). Conclusions: This research showed that supportive-educative program can enhance some aspects of quality of life. Therefore, nurses and other health professionals can use this scheme or similar programs for helping adolescents living with a parent with cancer

Investigating the Effect of Nursing Counseling on Health-related Anxiety and its Relationship with Trust in Nursing Services in Outpatients Referring to Health Services

Background and Objective: We are witnessing a marked increase in demand for outpatient services. Patients experience health-related anxiety, which exerts destructive effects on the treatment. The control and management of this anxiety create confidence in health services. The present study aimed to determine the effect of nursing counseling on health anxiety and its relationship with trust in nursing services in the outpatient department. Materials and Methods: In this quasi-experimental study conducted in 2021, 60 participants were randomly selected from the outpatient department of a clinic and assigned to two groups: intervention and control. Data collection tools were a demographic information questionnaire, Alkovskis and Warwick Health Anxiety, and Trust in Nurses Scale (TNS) (Radwin and Cabral, 2010). The participants answered demographic and health anxiety questionnaires. After the visit, the intervention group received nursing counseling, while the control group only received routine training. One week later, the participants answered the health anxiety questionnaire and trust in nurses scale again. Data were analyzed in SPSS software (version 18) using descriptive and inferential statistical tests. Results: The mean of health anxiety before the consulting was not significantly different between the two groups (P=0.20); nonetheless, after the consulting, the intervention group obtained a lower mean score compared to the control group (P>0.001). There was a significant difference between this mean before and after consulting in the intervention group (P>0.001). There was a significant positive relationship between receiving nursing counseling and confidence in nursing services (P>0.001) (C.V=-0.145). Conclusion: As evidenced by the results of this study, the provision of nursing consultation reduces patients' health anxiety and increases confidence in nursing services. It is suggested to pay attention to this role of nurses in outpatient departments

Comparison of Body Image and its Relationship with Body Mass Index (BMI) in High School Students of Ahvaz, Iran

BackgroundIt is not clearly specified that which of the components of body mass index (BMI) affect body image and which of them do not. Given that having information in this regard is of special importance as a basis for future planning for adolescents, the present research aimed to compare body image in female and male adolescents and study its relationship with body mass index in high school students of Ahwaz, Khuzestan Province in the academic year 2015-2016.Materials and MethodsIn this descriptive-analytic study, 200 high school students were selected as the sample using the random cluster sampling method. The required data were collected using demographic questionnaire, anthropometric data checklist (height and weight), and the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ). All descriptive and inferential statistics tests were performed using SPSS-17 at a confidence level of 95%.Results: The students ranged from 15 to 18 years old. Equal distribution was employed among all four grades of high school. Body mass index (BMI) in male students showed a significant inverse relationship only with appearance orientation (

Effect of an Intervention Based on the Family-centered Empowerment Model on the Resilience of Family Caregivers of Hemodialysis Patients: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Background and Objectives: Chronic kidney disease is a debilitating disease that can also affect the family caregivers of patients. Increasing awareness and empowering caregivers can improve the physical and mental condition of patients and the resilience of caregivers. This study aims to evaluate the effect of an intervention based on the family-centered empowerment model (FCEM) on the resilience of family caregivers of hemodialysis patients. Methods: This is a randomized controlled clinical trial. Sixty family caregivers of patients in the hemodialysis department of Imam Khomeini Hospital in Kermanshah, Iran were selected by a random sampling method using a random number table. Then, they were randomly divided into two groups of intervention (n=30) and control (n=30). The assessment tools were a demographic form and the Connor-Davidson resilience scale. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data in SPSS software, version 18. Results: The results of independent t-test showed that the mean resilience score at baseline was not significantly different between the two groups (P=0.29). After the intervention, it was significantly increased in the intervention group compared to the control group (P<0.001). In addition, there was a statistically significant difference between pre- and post-intervention scores of  resilience in the intervention group (P<0.001), but no significant difference was found in the control group (P=0.17). Conclusion: The FCEM-based intervention increases the resilience of family caregivers of hemodialysis patients. Therefore, it is recommended that the planners in nursing education should make nurses aware of the importance of providing family-centered care to hemodialysis patients’ families for increasing their resilience

Euthanasia: A Challenge in Clinical Education

Introduction: Euthanasia is one of the most frequent question and challenging issue in clinical education. This paper aimed to investigate different views in this matter. Methods: This review article was prepared through searching scientific databases and literature that was published during 2000-2011. Results: Considering the ethical and religious principles, current views about euthanasia are different and some sometimes are opposite. Even in the societies that agree to Euthanasia, there are many limitations. Therefore, it seems that answering for the question "Euthanasia Yes or No?" is still a dilemma in medical education. Conclusion: Since there are many limitations for its fulfilling in societies which agree to euthanasia, and considering that not all the conditions can be meet, it seems that answering for the question "Euthanasia Yes or No" is still a dilemma and needs further investigations and studies

The Effect of Lecture in comparison with Lecture and Problem Based Learning on Nursing Students Self-Efficacy in Najafabad Islamic Azad University

Introduction: Self-efficacy has an important role in applying scientific and professional knowledge and skills. Teaching methods can develop different skills such as decision making capability. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of teaching method of lecture in comparison with lecture and problem based learning on nursing students self-efficacy in Najafabad Islamic Azad University during 2008-2009. Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 44 nursing students who had been admitted to the university in 2006, were selected through random sampling method. Then, they were assigned in to two experiment and control groups, randomly. The data gathering tool was the Iranian edition of Generalized Self Efficacy questionnaire (GSE10). The data were analyzed by version 15 of SPSS software using mean, standard deviation and independent t-test and paired t-test. Results: The self-efficacy score increased significantly in both lecture (p<.004) and PBL (P<.001) groups. Although the mean score of post-test was higher in PBL group compared to the lecture group, no significant difference was observed comparing the mean of the difference between pre and post-tests in the two groups. Conclusion: According to this study, effective education can promote students self-efficacy in order to carry out the related performance. Considering the higher mean score of the PBL group, it is recommended to pay more attention to this educational method in higher education curriculum