The Nature of Burnout and Secondary Traumatic Stress of a Police First Responder: A Case Study

Over time, the challenging nature of police work may threaten the well-being of police first responders. This study described the nature of police burnout and secondary traumatic stress brought by exposure and helping victims of violence. The participant is a female 40-year-old police first responder who handles cases of violence against women and children. The study used psychological inventories, observations, and interviews to gather essential data. Further, this research used the Professional Quality of Life Theory to evaluate and analyze the case studied. The results showed that burnout and secondary traumatic stress were the mental health concerns of the participant. In addition, the participant described that burnout happens when there is high job demand, unbalanced case workload, and the absence of support and supervision. At the same time, secondary traumatic stress exists due to exposure to people who experienced traumatic, stressful events. Moreover, the participant expressed the need to have a mental health program at the workplace. The study's overall findings highlighted principles and guidelines for a mental health program framework catered to police first responders working with victims of violence. This mental health program must include regular assessment of the overall psychosocial functioning of police first responders, undergo regular debriefing, improve competencies in handling violence against women and children cases, have a flexible work schedule and a balanced caseload. Lastly, conducting a further study on the variables examined with a bigger sample size through quantitative research is highly recommended.Keywords: burnout, secondary traumatic stress, police first responders, mental health program framewor

A Phenomenological Study on Leadership Capabilities and Opportunities of Female Tertiary Students in a Male-Dominated Discipline

Women experience challenges in demonstrating their leadership capabilities and opportunities due to societal and stereotype-driven expectations and views. Thus, this study was conducted in support of promoting women’s empowerment and gender equality. Descriptive research design using interpretative phenomenological qualitative methodology was employed. The participants were tertiary students from a male-dominated discipline composed of eight (8) females and six (6) males. They were carefully selected using the purposive sampling technique. Focus group discussions were conducted separately between the two groups to gather the data. The results were examined through thematic analysis and validated by literature. Findings revealed that the female tertiary students could handle significant leadership positions in a male-dominated discipline as they considered themselves not just ordinary women leaders. Participants viewed female tertiary students as highly responsible, refined in doing tasks, courageous, and not easily surrendering to their responsibilities. Further, participants believed female tertiary students are equally given leadership opportunities. However, despite these, participants acknowledged that female tertiary students tend to limit and restrict themselves to taking significant leadership positions and that male tertiary students are still more suitable for handling multiple leadership functions. An important factor that led to these findings is the role of Filipino patriarchal values. Finally, this study’s overall results and implications may serve as a basis to formulate policies, programs, and guidelines to ensure that women’s leadership capabilities are enhanced and provided with leadership opportunities in a male-dominated environment.Keywords: leadership capabilities, leadership opportunities, female tertiary students, gender and development, male-dominated discipline/field of stud

CHALLENGES AND TECHNIQUES OF MOTHERS HAVING CHILDREN DIAGNOSED WITH ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER (ADHD): BASIS FOR A RESOURCE GUIDE

The enormous and continuing challenge encounter by mothers in handling their children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity (ADHD) inspired the progress and ultimate result of this study. A qualitative case study method extracted the result of this study. Further, this study identified the challenges as well as the strategies employ by mothers having children with ADHD. There were ten mothers interviewed, their respective husbands and the significant  others to triangulate the data. Results of this study proved that mothers are experiencing different challenges in handling their children with ADHD such as emotional, physical, financial, time management and in disciplining their child. Strategies by mothers were likewise identified in this study such as having a support system from their friends, families and association of their affiliation; consulting professionals for medication or treatment, practiced religiosity, acceptance of the reality, open communication with the husband, implementing discipline recommended by the professionals and eating. Results of this study prove that mothers having children with ADHD need help in handling their children. Thus, a structured resource guide  is necessary to empower the mothers and obtain a quality life amidst the challenge they are experiencing

Work Environment, Sleep Quality, Confidence in Decision- Making and Emotional Labor of Nurses Mediated by Self- Efficacy

This descriptive-correlational study aimed to determine the relationship of work environment and sleep quality to confidence in decision-making and emotional labor among nurses as mediated by self- efficacy. Two hundred-fifty staff nurses from eight private hospitals were purposively selected to answer a self-constructed questionnaire. Mean, standard deviation, frequency distribution, Pearson’s product moment correlation, and structural equation modeling were used for statistical analysis. Findings revealed that work environment and sleep quality were fair, self-efficacy and confidence in decision making were high, and extent of emotional labor was average. Positive work environments were associated with higher self-efficacy and confidence in decision making. Furthermore, higher self- efficacy was associated with higher confidence in decision making. Sleep quality was not associated with any differences in self- efficacy, confidence in decision making, or emotional labor. The mediation analysis showed that the effect of the work environment on confidence in decision-making is partially mediated by self-efficacy, while the effect of the work environment on deep acting emotional labor is completely mediated by self-efficacy. Results indicated that the final model was a good fit.&nbsp