Predictors of anxiety and depressive symptoms among Greek nurses

Introduction: The increasing needs of an aging population and the shortage of nursing personnel have a negative impact on the workload of nurses increasing the risk of developing anxiety and depressive symptoms. This research aims to evaluate the strength of occupational and demographic characteristics in predicting anxiety and depression among nurses. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a sample of 164 Greek nurses from three hospitals employed full-time participated. Anxiety and depression were measured using the validated Greek versions of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory – State and Trait Y forms and the Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale, respectively. The statistical analysis of the data was performed using the statistical program SPSS version 19.0. The statistical significance level was set up at 0.05. Results: Younger nurses, unmarried, those without children, those with less work experience, and working in the general medical units were more vulnerable. The average number of patients per nurse during the day shift may not predict anxiety or depression scores. Strong positive correlation between state and trait anxiety (r [162] = 0.77, p < 0.001), state anxiety and depression (r [162] = 0.62, p < 0.001), and trait anxiety and depression (r [162] = 0.63, p < 0.001) was revealed. Conclusion: Anxiety and depression are prevalent among nurses. Demographic and working characteristics are strong predictors of anxiety and depression among nurses. Nursing managers should emphasize emotional interventions (cognitive behavioral therapy, training on emotional intelligence, strengthening coping skills, and development of high resilience) in supporting nurses at higher risk

A cross-sectional study for the impact of coping strategies on mental health disorders among psychiatric nurses

Several studies report that psychiatric nursing is a highly stressful occupation. The ways that nurses use in order to deal with stressful situations have a serious effect on their psychological mood and their health status. The purpose of this study was to investigate the coping strategies in predicting of depression and anxiety among mental health nurses working in public psychiatric hospitals. A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in Athens, Greece from April to May 2017. A questionnaire consisting of the socio-demographic and work-related characteristics, the Patient Health Questionnaire-2, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-2, and the 38-items Ways of Coping Questionnaire - Greek version, was completed by a total of 110 mental health nurses. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using the logistic regression model. Coping strategies focused on the problem (positive re-evaluation, positive approach, problem solving, and seeking social support) were the most commonly used by the mental health nurses. Strategies focused on emotion (prayer/daydream, prayer, avoidance/escape, resignation, and denial) were positively associated with depression and anxiety outcomes. Also, the coping skills of problem solving (Adjusted Odds Ratio, AOR=0.402), and seeking social support (AOR=3.719) were significant predictors only for elevated anxiety symptoms. The results from the study demonstrated the importance of coping behaviours in mental health problems of psychiatric nurses

Greek Nurses' Perception of Hospital Ethical Climate: A Cross-Sectional Study

The present study aimed to examine Greek nurses’ perceptions about hospital ethical climate and to investigate the possible difference of those perceptions regarding their demographic and work-related characteristics. The cross-sectional study design was employed in this study in which 286 nurses and nurse assistants participated. Data were collected by a sheet containing demographic and work-related characteristics and the Greek version of Oslons’ Hospital Ethical Climate Scale. IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences 25 was used in data analysis. Frequencies, means, percentages, and standard deviations summarized the data. For the statistical differences, parametric tests were performed. Independent Samples t and Pearson correlation analysis were used to determine the relationship between the ethical climate of the hospital and the nurses’ characteristics. The p-values 0.05 were considered statistically significant. The mean age of the nurses was 44 years (SD: 8.5 years; range 24–66 years). The majority of them were women (77.3%). A percent of 57.7% of the sample was married. Most positive perceptions were concerning managers (4.01) following by peers (3.82), patients (3.69), hospital (3.29) while the least positive perceptions of the ethical climate were concerning the physicians (3.16). The factors associated with hospital ethical perception were: working experience and responsible position. The highest score of ethical climate reported to Managers subscale, while the minimum score was related to Physicians. In general, Greek nurses reported positive perceptions regarding hospital ethical climate. The positive ethical climate is associated with a better working environment, fewer nurses’ experience of moral distress, fewer chances for nursing turnover, high quality of nursing care, and fewer errors in nursing practice

A survey of Greek women&apos;s satisfaction of postnatal care

Background: The research described in this paper is a cross-sectional study which surveys women who delivered their babies in a regional hospital in Greece to investigate their satisfaction with their postnatal care. This is the first published study which measures satisfaction of postnatal services in Greece. The aim of this study is to determine which factors most influence postnatal satisfaction, which areas are lacking and therefore identify specific areas which should be targeted to improve the performance of health services. Methods: A cross sectional, quantitative study of 300 women who gave birth in a regional Greek hospital between January 2015 and July 2017 were surveyed 40 days after birth using a self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire contained sociodemographic and clinical characteristic questions and a selection of questions from the WOMen’s views of Birth Postnatal Satisfaction Questionnaire (WOMBPNSQ). Results: This study found that the dimensions with the higher satisfaction scores were “Professional support” and “Continuity”. The lower satisfaction scores were for the dimensions “Woman’s health”, “Contraceptive advice” and “Social support” indicating that these are areas for improvement. The three dimensions most correlated with general satisfaction were “Time with woman”, “Feeding baby” and “Professional support”. Conclusions: This study highlights the important role of health professionals showing that they can enhance postnatal satisfaction by spending time with the women, giving guidance on the care of the newborn and baby feeding. Focusing on improving these areas is expected to enhance the quality of postnatal care

Translation and Validation of the Spiritual Care Intervention-Provision Scale in the Greek Language

Introduction. Spiritual care is defined as activities and interventions that promote spiritual health and the spiritual dimension of quality of life. Empirical data indicate the importance that spiritual care provision has on nursing practice. The spiritual care intervention-provision (SCIP) scale was developed to assess the frequency of spiritual care intervention implemented by nurses. Currently, there are no validated scales for assessing spiritual care in the Greek language. Objective. To adapt and validate the spiritual care intervention-provision scale in the Greek language. Methods. A descriptive cross-sectional study was employed, in which 275 nurses working in two public hospitals participated. The SCIP scale underwent the process of cross-cultural adaptation and was evaluated by assessing its reliability and validity. Results. The process resulted in a valid Greek version of the SCIPS, the internal consistency (Cronbach’s α 0.887), reliability testing-retesting (r = 0.997, p0.05), construct, and convergent validities were evaluated. Conclusion. The Greek version of the spiritual care intervention-provision scale is a validated scale that can be used to examine spiritual care provision in Greek health services

Employees’ Commitment to the Organization of a Public District Hospital: a Case Study

Background: The employees' satisfaction from their job and their commitment to the organization appears to be one of the most determinants factors of organizational effectiveness.Aim: The aim of this study was the research of commitment to the organization of employees' working at Sparta General Hospital, as well as the correlation between job satisfaction and social, economic, demographic or other factors.Methodology: The research’s sample included 121 employees from all departments of a public district hospital. For research purposes, the Organizational Commitment Questionnaire was used. Data specially designed for the research’s purposes.Results: The largest sample’s proportion, declared moderate to very satisfy by their job at that Hospital. The particular job demands, exhausting timetables, stress and organizational weaknesses of the Greek Health System seem to have been key components of the problem. Also, for a large sample proportion, the job demands affect negatively the time and energy that Sparta General Hospital employees’ dedicate to themselves and to their families. Almost half of the participants replied that they are not at all satisfied with their payroll. Regarding the rates of emotional, standing and exemplary commitment, showed that gender, education level, marital status, age and total years of professional seniority correlated with the level of emotional commitment. To higher affective commitment is positively correlated with age of employees and years of service.Conclusions: The research of commitment to the organization can contribute substantially in improving the hospital’s and health system’s effectiveness, the increment of job’s satisfaction, the employees’ efficiency

A Mixed-Method Study on the Assessment of Factors Influencing Nurses’ Provision of Spiritual Care

The purpose of this study was to explore factors that influence nurses’ beliefs about offering spiritual care. Study Design: A mixed-method study design, incorporating both quantitative (questionnaire) and qualitative research, was used for this study (focus group discussion). Methods: The questionnaires were completed by a convenience sample of nurses and their assistants working in two public hospitals. These questionnaires included the Greek versions of the FACIT-Sp-12, SCIPS, NEO-FFI, and the Spiritual Climate Scale, as well as a specially designed questionnaire to gather demographic, socioeconomic, and professional information about the study population (SCS). Three nurses and two nursing assistants who worked in public hospitals and were chosen through purposive sampling made up the sample for the qualitative study. In utilizing inductive content analysis methodology, a qualitative analysis was carried out. Results: Greek nurses frequently offer spiritual care to their patients, primarily existential spiritual care. It was discovered that the spiritual climate, the nurses’ positive coherence, and their educational level all exert a favorable effect on total spiritual care. Three categories and seven subcategories were used to describe the participants’ prior experiences with spiritual care. Conclusions: Greek nurses frequently offer spiritual care to their patients, and both internal and external factors influence their attitudes in this regard