The problems and information needs of patients with bipolar disorder during the treatment process: A qualitative study in Turkey

Secondary Traumatic Stress and Coping Experiences in Psychiatric Nurses Caring for Trauma Victims: A Phenomenological Study

AIM

In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the secondary traumatic stress and coping experiences of psychiatric nurses who care for people who have experienced psychological trauma with a phenomenological approach.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 18 psychiatric nurses residing in Turkey using the phenomenological research method. The criterion sampling method was used to reach the sample group. Interviews continued until data saturation was achieved, and all interviews were audio-recorded and then transcribed. The data were analysed using thematic analysis. The study was conducted and reported using the COREQ checklist.

FINDINGS

In the analysis of the data, three themes (difficulties in caring for people who have experienced trauma, the effects of caring for people who have experienced trauma on the individual and coping, reflections of secondary trauma on the profession) and seven sub-themes (mental, physical, social, psychosocial difficulties and coping, quality of care, professional and organisational aspects) were identified.

CONCLUSION

As a result of the study, it was determined that secondary traumatic stress was observed in psychiatric nurses caring for individuals who experienced psychological trauma. It was determined that caring for people who have experienced psychological trauma can negatively affect nurses psychosocially, and individuals have difficulty coping. In line with the results of the study, it is thought that necessary intervention programs should be created for nurses experiencing secondary traumatic stress.

Hematology patients' metaphorical perceptions of the disease and psychosocial support needs in the treatment process: a phenomenological study from a rural region of Türkiye

PURPOSE

Although health services and access to these services have increased worldwide, there are still major barriers to access to health services, especially for rural, poor, and disabled individuals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the metaphorical perceptions of hematology patients living in rural areas in Türkiye about the disease and their psychosocial support needs during the treatment process with a phenomenological approach.

METHODS

In this study, in which the phenomenological research method was used, semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 14 hematology patients receiving treatment in a state hospital in a province in the eastern region of Türkiye. Criterion sampling method, one of the purposive sampling methods, was used to reach the sample group. Interviews continued until data saturation was achieved. The data of the study were evaluated using thematic analysis. The study was conducted and reported according to the COREQ checklist.

RESULTS

Data analysis revealed two main themes including the following: metaphorical perceptions towards hematologic cancer with the sub-themes of emotional turmoil, social alienation and stigma and physical debilitation, and pathways to resilience with the sub-themes of disease process management, inner resilience and faith, and psychosocial support.

CONCLUSION

This study revealed that the adaptation process of patients to hematologic cancer is quite difficult, and psychosocial support is an indispensable requirement for them in their lives. In order for patients and their families to cope with this very difficult disease process, it is thought that providing them with a higher level of psychological support will be beneficial in coping with the disease effectively.

Suicide attempts history and affecting psychosocial challenges in individuals with substance use disorders: A qualitative study from a rural region of Türkiye

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the suicide attempts histories and affecting psychosocial challenges in individuals with substance use disorders (SUD).

METHODS

This study was conducted between August and October 2023 using an inductive qualitative design. Purposive sampling method was used to reach the sample group. The study included individuals with substance use disorders who had attempted suicide at least once. They were being treated at an Alcohol and Substance Addiction Treatment Center in the eastern region of Türkiye. Interviews continued until data saturation was achieved with 13 participants. All interviews were audio recorded and then transcribed. The research adhered to the COREQ checklist.

RESULTS

Three main themes (etiological factors in SUD, challenges in coping with SUD and suicide) and ten sub-themes (family-based factors, environmental factors, traumatic experiences, personal factors, psychological, physical, and social factors, the causes and methods of substance use, and emotions) emerged in the analysis of the data.

CONCLUSION

Given the connection between substance use and suicide, it is crucial to recognize and comprehend the increased risk of suicide among individuals with SUD and identify potential comorbid disorders and accompanying mental health issues. Psychiatric and mental health nurses can use effective psychosocial interventions to impart knowledge related to SUD management, organize grouptherapy (i.e., peer support), perform to ensure continuity of treatment and improve individuals' self-management skills.

Psychosocial problems experienced by intensive care nurses regarding sleep pattern within the scope of working conditions: A phenomenological study

BACKGROUND

Nurses working in intensive care units experience insomnia and accompanying psychosocial problems due to working conditions.

AIM

This study explores with a phenomenological approach the psychosocial problems experienced by intensive care nurses regarding sleep patterns within the scope of working conditions.

STUDY DESIGN

In this phenomenological study, semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 16 nurses working in the surgical intensive care unit of a state hospital in Türkiye. Criterion sampling method, one of the purposive sampling methods, was used to reach the sample group. Researchers' interviews continued until they reached data saturation. All interviews were recorded on a voice recorder after obtaining the necessary permissions from the nurses and then transcribed. The study data were evaluated using thematic analysis. The current manuscript was reported following the COREQ checklist.

RESULTS

Data analysis revealed three main themes (how working as an intensive care nurse changes sleep patterns, the relationship between shift work, work performance, patient care and how working as an intensive care nurse changes individual life and coping strategies) and nine subthemes (mental, physical, social, work performance, patient care, nutrition, family life, social life and coping).

CONCLUSION

The study's findings revealed that nurses working in intensive care experienced psychosocial difficulties related to sleep patterns and had trouble coping. In particular, it was determined that sleep problems of intensive care nurses cause difficulties in family life, nutrition and social life. It is recommended that the number of personnel in workplaces be increased, overtime hours should be limited, and professional development and training on the importance of sleep for all nurses should be provided.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Nurses working in intensive care units may experience psychosocial problems due to working conditions, which may negatively change their coping skills. Therefore, organizing the working conditions of nurses positively changes their coping skills.

Exploring Nursing Students' Metaphorical Perceptions and Cognitive Structures Related to the Global Climate Crisis's Impact on Nursing

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to explore the metaphorical perceptions and cognitive structures of Turkish nursing students related to the impact of the global climate crisis on their profession.

METHODS

Researchers adopted a qualitative approach centered on metaphor analysis and involved 40 Turkish nursing students enrolled in programs in Türkiye during October 2023. Using metaphor analysis and techniques involving writing and drawing, the study uncovered how these students perceive and cognitively structure the influence of the global climate crisis on their nursing careers. The interview form featured the metaphor expression "The reflection of the global climate crisis on nursing is like … because …," while the drawing component prompted students to determine their perspectives on the climate crisis's impact on nursing through concept drawings. The research adhered to the COREQ checklist.

RESULTS

The study revealed that nursing students generated 22 metaphors each through written and drawing techniques. Written metaphors were grouped into five categories: psychosocial challenges faced by nurses, patient populations, diseases and coping, burdens on the health system, and the growing importance of various fields within nursing. Drawing technique metaphors were grouped into four categories: nurses and the difficulties they face, the impact of the global climate crisis on the world, the impact of the global climate crisis on the healthcare sector, and the roles and responsibilities of nurses.

CONCLUSIONS

While nursing students expressed diverse opinions, their concerns about the reflection of the global climate crisis on nursing yielded similar emotional responses. Metaphors are mostly focused on psychosocial challenges faced by nurses, the patient population, diseases, and coping mechanisms. The findings underscored nursing students' concerns about the global climate crisis's impact on both their profession and the broader community.

Patients' Experiences With Complementary and Alternative Treatments to Manage Chemotherapy Symptoms: A Phenomenological Study

This phenomenological study aims to explore the experiences of individuals undergoing chemotherapy, focusing on their symptoms and the use of complementary and alternative treatments to cope with these challenges. Thirteen individuals diagnosed with cancer in a city in the central region of Turkey were interviewed using a semi-structured, in-depth approach in this phenomenological study. The criterion sampling method was employed to select participants, and interviews continued until data saturation was achieved. Thematic analysis was applied to the audio-recorded and transcribed interviews. The study adhered to the COREQ checklist for reporting qualitative research. The data analysis revealed 2 main categories (effects of cancer and chemotherapy on individuals, the use of complementary and alternative treatments to cope with the symptoms of patients receiving chemotherapy) and 6 themes (psychological effects, social impacts, physical effects, social practices, psychological practices, and physical practices). The study demonstrated that individuals faced significant psychological, physical, and social challenges due to cancer, posing difficulties in coping. The symptoms had a substantial negative impact on individuals. The research identified the use of various alternative methods, such as yoga, the Mediterranean diet, and music therapy, as coping strategies. It is recommended that individuals undergoing chemotherapy explore complementary and alternative treatment methods to effectively manage symptoms.

Psychosocial dimension of adolescent pregnancy: a phenomenological study on life experiences

AIM

This study aimed to assess the lived experiences of adolescent pregnant young women, with a specific focus on the psychosocial aspect of adolescent pregnancy, using a phenomenological approach.

DESIGN

Employing the phenomenological research method, semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted between 3 August and 18 August 2023 with 15 young women (mean age = 21.86 years; SD = 1.06) living in a province in eastern Turkey who had undergone adolescent pregnancy 3-5 years before.

METHODS

The criterion sampling method, a form of purposive sampling, was used to form the sample group. Interviews were carried out until data saturation was reached. All interviews were recorded and transcribed, and thematic analysis was utilised to analyse the data. The study adhered to the COREQ checklist for reporting.

RESULTS

Through data analysis, three main categories (reflections on adolescent pregnancy, challenges due to adolescent pregnancy, and effects of adolescent pregnancy) and nine sub-themes (emotions, roles and responsibilities, perception of social support, cognitive, emotional, behavioural, mental, physical, and social) emerged.

CONCLUSION

Our study highlights the adverse psychosocial impact of adolescent pregnancy on young women. Young women who got married at an early age before attaining full physical, social, and psychological maturity grappled with the substantial burdens of adolescent pregnancy and adjusting to their new roles. The study's implications are significant, emphasising the necessity of addressing the psychosocial facets of adolescent marriage and pregnancy, and gaining valuable insights for the future.

Experiences and psychosocial challenges of volunteer nurses in Turkey devastating earthquake zones: Lessons to be learnt for prevention of health system problems in disasters: A qualitative study

OBJECTIVE

This research aimed to investigate the experiences and psychosocial challenges encountered by volunteer nurses who provided care in the zones affected by the devastating earthquake that struck Turkey in 2023.

METHODS

This qualitative study involved semistructured, in-depth interviews with 15 volunteer nurses who were actively working in earthquake-affected regions. The study was conducted between June 2023 and July 2023. Participants were selected from diverse provinces (Hatay, Gaziantep, Adıyaman, Kahramanmaraş, and Malatya) affected by the earthquake, ensuring maximum variability. Individual online interviews were conducted using Google Meet, with data collection continuing until saturation was achieved. The study adhered to the COREQ checklist for reporting qualitative research.

RESULTS

Three main themes and eight subthemes were developed: (1) Management and Coordination (failure to meet basic needs, bureaucracy, duty, and authority issues, problems with supplies and equipment); (2) Professional Experiences (working conditions, education, perspective on the profession); and Psychosocial Problems and (3) Coping Methods (psychological problems, methods of coping with problems).

CONCLUSIONS

The study showed that volunteer nurses encountered management and organizational obstacles, were profoundly impacted by the disaster's psychosocial aspects, and often struggled with inadequacies in handling psychological challenges. Despite these challenges, the nurses reported a sense of competence in delivering care services. The insights derived from this study hold valuable lessons for future disaster response strategies. For this reason, it is recommended to plan the necessary training and initiatives to professionally strengthen the field of disaster nursing.

Psychosocial dimensions of being a child in women's shelters: A phenomenological study on the experiences of battered women - A case study from Türkiye's Northern Region

BACKGROUND

Violence against women has numerous devastating effects. Exposure to violence not only impacts women but also affects their children both physically and psychosocially.

AIMS

The study aimed to evaluate the psychosocial problems of children living with their mothers in women's shelters from the mothers' perspective with a phenomenological approach.

METHODS

Utilizing the phenomenological research method, semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 14 individuals in a women's shelter in a province in northern Türkiye. The criterion sampling method, a purposive sampling technique, was employed to select participants. Interviews continued until data saturation was achieved. All interviews were audio recorded and then transcribed, and thematic analysis was applied to analyze the data. The study adhered to the COREQ checklist for reporting.

RESULTS

The data analysis revealed four main categories (effects of violence on the mother, actions taken to protect children from violence, effects of violence and staying in a shelter on the child, and psychosocial needs for the protection of the child's mental health in the shelter) and 10 sub-themes (psychological effects, physical effects, social effects, domestic actions, organizational actions, psychological effects, physical effects, social effects, support system, and coping).

CONCLUSION

The study concluded that violence significantly impacted the mental, physical, and social well-being of both women and children, posing challenges to their ability to cope with the aftermath. Women exerted considerable effort in protecting their children from violence, and they needed psychosocial support to ensure the well-being of their children's mental health during their stay in shelters.