Impact of public health education on undue fear of COVID-19 among nurses: The mediating role of psychological capital

The relationship between psychological capital and self-directed learning ability among undergraduate nursing students-a cross-sectional study

Background

Psychological capital has become a prominent focus in positive psychology, highlighting the positive influence of higher psychological capital on individuals. Self-directed learning ability is a fundamental skill for students, vital for enhancing academic performance and professional development, and is integral to the continuous learning process of nursing students. Recognizing the relationship between psychological capital and self-directed learning ability is crucial for the progress and development of undergraduate nursing students.

Objective

This study aims to investigate the correlation between psychological capital and self-directed learning ability in undergraduate nursing students, as well as to explore the factors that influence these variables.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 667 full-time undergraduate nursing students from a nursing school in Taizhou, China. Psychological capital and self-directed learning ability were assessed using the Psychological Capital Questionnaire and Self-Directed Learning Scale, respectively. Correlation and stepwise multiple regression analyses were then carried out to evaluate the relationship between psychological capital and self-directed learning ability among the participants.

Results

The study revealed that the psychological capital score averaged at 103.24 ± 15.51, while the self-directed learning scale score averaged at 230.67 ± 27.66. Variations in psychological capital scores were noted based on factors including grade level, being an only child, growth environment, monthly living expenses, parental education level, voluntary selection of nursing major, and club experience. Similarly, differences in self-directed learning scores were associated with factors such as grade level, gender, parental education level, and voluntary selection of nursing major. Moreover, a positive correlation was identified between the overall psychological capital scores and the total self-directed learning ability scores among nursing students. Notably, the multiple regression analysis highlighted that optimism and resilience played significant roles as predictors of self-directed learning ability.

Conclusion

Psychological capital is positively correlated with the self-directed learning ability of nursing students, with optimism and resilience identified as crucial predictors. Nursing educators can utilize strategies rooted in positive psychology and perseverance to improve the self-directed learning ability of nursing students.

A Bayesian approach to reveal the role of psychological factors on turnover intention among nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND

Turnover intention is considered a significant challenge for healthcare and treatment organizations. The challenging conditions of treating COVID-19 patients and the physical and mental stress imposed on nurses during the pandemic may lead them to leave their jobs. The present study aimed to determine the role of psychological factors (general health, mental workload, work-family conflicts, and resilience) on turnover intention using a Bayesian approach during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

The present cross-sectional study was carried out during the winter of 2021 at three hospitals in Khuzestan Province, Iran. To collect data for this investigation, 300 nurses were chosen based on Cochran's formula and random sampling technique. Seven questionnaires, including General Health, Mental Workload, Work-Family Conflict, Resilience, Job Stress, Fear of COVID-19, and Turnover Intention Questionnaires. Bayesian Networks (BNs) were used to draw probabilistic and graphical models. A sensitivity analysis also was performed to study the effects of the variables. The GeNIe academic software, version 2.3, facilitated the examination of the Bayesian network.

RESULTS

The statistically significant associations occurred between the variables of fear of COVID-19 and job stress (0.313), job stress and turnover intention (0.302), and resilience and job stress (0.298), respectively. Job stress had the highest association with the fear of COVID-19 (0.313), and resilience had the greatest association with the work-family conflict (0.296). Also, the association between turnover intention and job stress (0.302) was higher than the association between this variable and resilience (0.219). At the low resilience and high job stress with the probability of 100%, the turnover intention variable increased by 20%, while at high resilience and low job stress with the probability of 100%, turnover intention was found to decrease by 32%.

CONCLUSION

In general, the results showed that four psychological factors affect job turnover intention. However, the greatest impact was related to job stress and resilience. These results can be used to manage job turnover intention in medical environments, especially in critical situations such as COVID-19.

Negative impact of nurses' fear of COVID-19: the moderating role of implementation of knowledge management

Background

During the COVID-19 pandemic, nurses encountered substantial infection risks and psychological strain, which severely affected their emotional well-being, professional attitudes, and job performance. This study investigated the impact of nurses' fear of COVID-19 on their intention to leave the occupation and emotional labor as well as the moderating role of the implementation of knowledge management on these primary variables.

Methods

To mitigate common method bias, this research adopted a two-phase questionnaire approach, targeting nurses at a medical center in central Taiwan. In the first phase, 300 copies of questionnaire were distributed for participants to complete self-assessment surveys covering fear of COVID-19, knowledge management implementation, and demographic information. After 1 month, the participants were invited to complete a follow-up questionnaire, focusing on the intention to leave the occupation and emotional labor. The questionnaire was conducted from June to July 2022. Through this two-phase distribution method, after exclusion of invalid responses, a total of 288 valid responses were collected, resulting in a response rate of 96%. The proposed hypotheses were verified using hierarchical regression conducted with SPSS version 25.0.

Results

The findings indicated that nurses' fear of COVID-19 was significantly and positively associated with their intention to leave the occupation and surface acting, but negatively associated with their deep acting. Moreover, the implementation of knowledge management significantly moderated the positive relationship among fear of COVID-19, intention to leave the occupation, and surface acting. A robust knowledge management system weakened the positive association among fear of COVID-19, intention to leave the occupation, and surface acting.

Conclusion

In summary, nurses' fear of COVID-19 may increase their tendency to leave the nursing profession and engage in more surface acting and less deep acting. However, effective knowledge management practices can mitigate these adverse effects. Hospitals can thus establish and employ comprehensive knowledge management systems to enhance nurses' resilience and help alleviate their fear of future pandemics and their potential negative repercussions.

Intolerance of Uncertainty, Job Satisfaction and Work Performance in Turkish Healthcare Professionals: Mediating Role of Psychological Capital

Objective: Psychological capital refers to internal resources including self-efficacy, hope, optimism and resilience to overcome adverse life events. The current study sought to examine the mediating role of psychological capital in the relationship between intolerance of uncertainty and job satisfaction and work performance in healthcare professionals. Methods: Participants were 302 healthcare professionals [48% females; M(SD) age = 34.0 (7.5)] and completed measures of intolerance of uncertainty, psychological capital, work performance, and job satisfaction. Results: The findings indicated that intolerance of uncertainty was negatively correlated with psychological capital, work performance, and job satisfaction, whereas psychological capital was positively correlated with job satisfaction and work performance. More importantly, the findings revealed that these relationships were mediated by psychological capital. Conclusion: The results provide several contributions that help to understand the role of psychological capital in the relationship between intolerance to uncertainty and job satisfaction and work performance.

The relationship between psychological capital, burnout and perceived stress in junior nurses: a latent profile analysis

Background

Psychological capital, an intrinsic personal asset, enhances junior nurses' ability to navigate transition and sustain superior job performance. This study aimed to classify junior nurses into distinct psychological capital profiles and examine their associations with burnout and perceived stress levels.

Methods

A cross-sectional study involving 480 junior nurses from three hospitals in Beijing assessed psychological capital, stress, and burnout using e-questionnaires, from July 2021 to August 2022. We employed exploratory latent profile analysis for psychological capital profiling and logistic regression with the best subset method to identify the influential factors.

Results

The results of the latent profile analysis supported the models of two latent profiles, which were defined as low psychological capital (224, 46.5%) and high psychological capital (256, 53.5%). Logistic regression revealed that introverted nurses and those experiencing moderate to high levels of burnout and stress were more likely to exhibit low psychological capital.

Conclusion

Nursing management should proactively identify and support junior nurses with low psychological capital, with a focus on introverted individuals, to mitigate the impact of stress and burnout.

Fear of COVID-19 among professional caregivers of the elderly in Central Alentejo, Portugal

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has infected many institutionalised elderly people. In Portugal, the level of pandemic fear among professional caregivers of the elderly is unknown, as are its predictive factors. This study aimed to investigate predictors of fear of COVID-19 among workers caring for institutionalised elderly people in nursing homes. This is a cross-sectional study using multiple linear regression applied to a population of 652 caregivers located in 14 municipalities in Central Alentejo, Portugal, at March 2021. The criterion variable was the fear of COVID-19. Standardised regression coefficients showed that the higher the level of education, the lower the level of fear (β = - 0.158; t = - 4.134; p < .001). Other predictors of the level of fear were gender, with women having higher levels (β = 0.123; t = t = 3.203; p < 0.001), higher scores on COVID-19-like suspicious symptoms (β = 0.123; t = 3.219; p < 0.001) and having received a flu vaccine (β = 0.086; t = 2.252; p = 0.025). The model explains 6.7% of the variation in fear of COVID-19 (R2Adj = 0.067). Health literacy can minimise the impact on the physical and mental health of these workers. In Central Alentejo, caregivers of the elderly play a fundamental role in social balance. Further studies are needed to better understand the factors that can improve their personal and professional well-being.

Professional quality of life and fear of COVID-19 among Spanish nurses: A longitudinal repeated cross-sectional study

AIM AND OBJECTIVES

To evaluate changes in compassion fatigue (CF), burnout (BO), compassion satisfaction (CS) and fear of COVID-19 among Spanish nurses by comparing two assessment points: before and after the COVID-19 vaccination campaign.

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic has produced a great impact in healthcare worker's professional quality of life, especially among nurses. CF, BO and fear of COVID-19 decisively affect the care provided by nurses and put them at risk for mental health problems, so longitudinal studies are essential.

DESIGN

A repeated cross-sectional design was carried out with a time-lapse of 12 months.

METHODS

A total of 439 registered nurses in December 2020 and 410 in December 2021 participated in this study through an online survey. Data were collected using the Professional Quality of Life Questionnaire and the Fear of COVID-19 Scale. Occupational and sociodemographic variables were also analysed. This article adheres to the STROBE guidelines for the reporting of observational studies.

RESULTS

The fear of COVID-19 has not been reduced among nurses. The levels of BO remain stable and continue to be high in half of the professionals. CF has been reduced with a small effect size (d = 0.30), while CS has also decreased (d = 0.30). Positive correlations were found in both assessment points between fear of COVID-19 and BO (r = .44, p ≤ .001; r = .41, p ≤ .001) and also between fear of COVID and CF (r = .57, p ≤ .001; r = .50, p ≤ .001). Negative correlations between fear and CS were also found (r = - .16, p = .001; r = - .22, p ≤ .001).

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Programmes to reduce fear of COVID-19, BO and CF are needed to improve mental health and to prevent psychological distress among nurses, as well as to increase CS and preserve the productivity and quality of nursing care.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

The nurses collaborated by participating in the present study anonymously and disinterestedly.

Assessment of Nurses Fear Working in COVID-19 Pandemic Hospitals

Introduction

Nurses play pivotal roles in various facets of managing the COVID-19 epidemic, encompassing tasks such as identifying potential cases with infections, managing suspected patients, conducting patient assessments, and providing critical care to individuals afflicted with COVID-19.

Objective

The objective of this study was to assess the level of COVID-19 fear among nurses who care for infected or suspected COVID-19 patients in pandemic hospitals.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 260 nurses employed at COVID-19 hospitals in Palestine. The Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) was employed to measure participants' fear levels. The scale's potential values range from 7 to 35, with higher scores indicating a greater fear of COVID-19. Independent t-tests and ANOVA tests were utilized to evaluate differences between the variables.

Results

The analysis revealed that the mean total fear score of the nurses was 25.22 ± 5.07 (ranging from 7 to 35), indicating a high level of fear. Married nurses exhibited a fear mean score of 27.0 ± 4.9 (p < 0.05). Similarly, nurses with children scored a mean fear level of 29.0 ± 4.6 (p < 0.05). Additionally, nurses engaged in rotating shift work reported a fear mean score of 27.9 ± 4.4 (p < 0.05). Furthermore, nurses who received COVID-19 training exhibited a fear mean score of 24.6 ± 4.8 (p < 0.05). Likewise, nurses who experienced patient loss due to COVID-19 reported a fear mean score of 23.2 ± 4.5 (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The study confirmed that nurses in Palestine exhibit a significant level of fear concerning COVID-19. Marital status, having children, working schedule, experiencing the loss of a patient due to COVID-19, and receiving training related to COVID-19 were identified as factors associated with the fear of COVID-19 among nurses.

The causative factors of psychological distress and mental ill-health among ICU nurses during the pandemic

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic had a global impact on health systems and health professionals. Nurses, particularly those working in intensive care units (ICUs), held a central critical role in the care of COVID-19 patients, facing numerous challenges in the delivery of care, leading to significant psychological and mental health issues. This article reports on findings from a qualitative narrative review of the literature related to psychological ill-being and mental health of ICU nurses' during the pandemic. Four key themes emerged: (1) isolation (2) workload (3) clinical preparedness and lack of protocols and (4) fear.

Registered nurses' psychological capital: A scoping review

AIMS

The aim was to examine the extent and scope of empirical research concerning registered nurses' psychological capital.

BACKGROUND

In a time of global nursing shortage, identifying variables that could positively contribute to the retention of the nursing workforce is essential. Prior research has shown that psychological capital correlates positively with employees' better performance and well-being.

DESIGN

A scoping review.

DATA SOURCES

A systematic literature search was conducted in the following databases: PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Web of Science and Scopus covering the period from 1 January 2005 to 7 May 2023.

REVIEW METHODS

The JBI methodological guidance for scoping reviews was followed. The results were summarized narratively.

RESULTS

A total of 111 studies reported in 114 peer-reviewed articles were included. Studies were carried out across 20 countries, with the majority from China (45), Australia (nine), Pakistan (nine), Canada (eight), South Korea (eight) and the United States (eight). A positive correlation was found between registered nurses' psychological capital and desirable work-related outcomes, such as work engagement, commitment and retention intention.

CONCLUSION

A comprehensive overview of research evidence suggests that psychological capital is associated with many positive work-related outcomes and might therefore be a valuable resource for reducing nurse turnover.

Fear of COVID-19, intolerance of uncertainty, psychological capital, and positive future expectations: Tests of mediating relationships with healthcare workers

COVID-19 has a profound impact on the mental health of healthcare workers, especially those combatting the disease. The current study examined the mediating role of psychological capital in the relationship between fear of COVID-19 and intolerance of uncertainty and positive future expectations in healthcare workers during the pandemic. 310 healthcare workers (51.9 % males, Mage = 34.2 ± 7.6) completed measures of fear of COVID-19, psychological capital, intolerance of uncertainty, and positive future expectations The results showed that fear of COVID-19 had a significant negative predictive impact on psychological capital and a significant positive predictive impact on intolerance of uncertainty. Psychological capital had a significant negative predictive impact on intolerance of uncertainty and a significant positive predictive impact on positive future expectations. Most importantly, the results indicated that psychological capital mediated the association of fear of COVID-19 with intolerance of uncertainty and positive future expectations. The results improve our understanding of the role of psychological capital in the relationship between fear of COVID-19 and intolerance of uncertainty and positive future expectations. Also, results have possible wider implications for equipping healthcare workers with the psychological tools to cope with stressors, including those linked to public health threats such as pandemics.

Healthcare workers experiences of caring for patients colonized with Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacterale (CPE) in an acute hospital setting - A qualitative descriptive study

BACKGROUND

Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacterale (CPE) is a multi-drug resistant organism, that is of growing concern within hospitals worldwide. This leads to an increased workload on healthcare workers.

PURPOSE

To explore the experiences of healthcare workers who care for patients colonized with CPE.

METHODS

A qualitative descriptive research design. Semi-structured interviews undertaken and analysed using a thematic analysis framework resulting in the identification of four main themes.

RESULTS

This study explores the barriers and facilitators healthcare workers encounter when caring for patients colonized with CPE and their experience of the effect that a CPE diagnosis has on the provision of patient care across four themes: education, the COVID effect, fear, and staffing/resource issues. The study is reported utilising the COREQ checklist.

CONCLUSION

Healthcare workers were aware of the IPC guidance and education was the main facilitator to knowledge and practice. Barriers such as poor staffing levels and the impact of COVID-19 were highlighted in relation to care provision and reducing fear associated with CPE. Healthcare workers priority is to provide safe and effective care for their patients and barriers that impact their ability to provide such care need to be addressed to ensure an optimal experience for both healthcare workers and patients.

Psychological capital and organizational citizenship behavior among nurses during the COVID-19 epidemic: mediation of organizational commitment

BACKGROUND

Nurses' organizational citizenship behavior, a spontaneous "altruistic work behavior", may be affected by psychological capital and organizational commitment, but its mechanism is not clear. The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics and distribution of psychological capital, organizational commitment and organizational citizenship behavior among nurses during the COVID-19 epidemic, and explore the mediating role of organizational commitment in psychological capital and organizational citizenship behavior.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 746 nurses from 6 designated hospitals for COVID-19 treatment in China. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analysis, and structural equation model were used in this study.

RESULTS

Nurses' psychological capital, organizational commitment and organizational citizenship behavior scores were 103.12 ± 15.57, 46.53 ± 7.14 and 101.47 ± 12.14, respectively. Additionally, organizational commitment partially mediates between psychological capital and organizational citizenship behavior.

CONCLUSIONS

During the COVID-19 pandemic, nurses' psychological capital, organizational commitment, and organizational citizenship behavior were found to be at an upper-middle level, influenced by various social-demographic factors. Furthermore, the results illustrated that psychological capital can affect organizational citizenship behavior through the mediating role of organizational commitment. Therefore, the findings emphasize the importance of nursing administration to monitor and prioritize the mental health and organizational behavior of nurses during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. It is crucial to focus on developing and nurturing nurses' psychological capital, strengthening their organizational commitment, and ultimately promoting their organizational citizenship behavior.

The relationship between nurses fear of COVID-19, professional commitment and tendencies to medical errors

Aim

This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between nurses' fear of COVID-19, professional commitment and medical error tendency.

Methods

This study was use correlational research design with 312 nurses in January-April 2021. Data were collected online using a demographic characteristics questionnaire, the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S), the Professional Commitment Scale (PCS), and the Scale of Tendency to Medical Errors (STME). The study was approved by ethics committee. Number, mean, and standard deviation were used for sociodemographic variables. Participants' FCV-19S, PCS, and STME scores were calculated. The correlations between scale scores were determined using Pearson's correlation coefficient and Spearman correlation analysis.

Results

Participants had a mean FCV-19S, PCS, and STME score of 19±8.17, 72.21±13.58, and 4.58±0.51, respectively. FCV-19S scores were weakly and positively correlated with PCS overall score (r=0.200, p<0.001), "willingness to make an effort (r=0.273, p<0.001)" and "belief in goals and values (r=0.115, p=0.043)" subscale scores. FCV-19S scores were weakly and positively correlated with STME "communication (r=0.119, p=0.036)" subscale score.

Conclusion

Nurses who feared more about COVID-19 were found to have higher professional commitment, greater willingness to make an effort, and stronger belief in goals and values. Nurses who feared more COVID-19 were less likely to make communication-related medical errors.

Levels of psychological capital among nurses: A systematic review and meta-analysis

AIM

To systematically evaluate the available literature about overall levels of psychological capital among nurses.

BACKGROUND

Psychological capital is described as a positive mental state associated with nurses' mental health, quality of care and patient outcomes.

METHODS

A search was carried out using PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library and Chinese Database, including China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese Biological Medical (CBM), WanFang and Weipu Database from the inception of the databases until October 2021. Subsequently, two researchers identified and reviewed the literature and assessed the risk of bias. A random-effects model was conducted to achieve pooled estimates of psychological capital scales.

RESULTS

The pooled mean score of the psychological capital scale was 4.21 (95% CI, 4.07-4.35). For subdimensions such as hope, optimism, self-efficacy and resilience, the score was 4.12 (95% CI, 4.11-4.12), 4.34 (95% CI, 4.34-4.34), 4.50 (95% CI, 4.50-4.51) and 4.34 (95% CI, 4.33-4.34), respectively. Subgroup analyses indicated that nurses practising in Asia and intensive care units might have experienced lower psychological capital levels. In addition, significant differences were noted in studies with sample size and publication year. Studies with a large sample size reported a higher psychological capital than those with a small sample size. The pooled mean scores of psychological capital were higher in 2014-2018 than in 2019-2021. Meta-regression further revealed that geographic regions of participants might be a source of heterogeneity, and the Asian region had 32.23% of the heterogeneity between studies, and the African region had 18.71%.

CONCLUSION

This review is the first to synthesize published research and calculate a pooled score of psychological capital in nurses. These findings indicated that nurses reported a medium-high level of psychological capital, and there was significant heterogeneity.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING POLICY

Administrators and policymakers should concentrate on nurses' psychological capital and tactically integrate psychological capital into nursing vocational training programs.

Understanding the effect of fear of COVID-19 on COVID-19 burnout and job satisfaction: a mediation model of psychological capital

Healthcare professionals are more at risk than others of being affected by the negative psychological consequences of COVID-19. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the factors protecting healthcare professionals from the negative psychological consequences of the pandemic. The purpose of the present study is to examine the mediating role of psychological capital in the relationship of fear of COVID-19 with COVID-19 burnout and job satisfaction among Turkish healthcare professionals. Participants included 313 healthcare professionals (52.7% females) ranged in age between 22 and 59 years (mean age = 34.41 ± 6.59) and completed measures of fear of COVID-19, psychological capital, job satisfaction and burnout. A mediation model indicated that fear of COVID-19 was negatively associated with psychological capital and job satisfaction but positively associated with COVID-19 burnout. The model also indicated that psychological capital was negatively associated with COVID-19 burnout and positively associated with job satisfaction. Additionally, psychological capital mitigated the effect of fear of COVID-19 on COVID-19 burnout. Finally, the results indicated that fear of COVID-19 did not only have a direct effect on reduced job satisfaction but also had an indirect effect on it through increased psychological capital. Findings elucidate our understanding of the role of psychological capital in the relationship between fear of COVID-19 and COVID-19 burnout and job satisfaction. The results are useful for developing and implementing intervention programs to reduce the negative psychological effects of COVID-19 on healthcare professionals.

The relationship between nurses' risk assessment and management, fear perception, and mental wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia

During this pandemic, it is crucial to implement early interventions to help nurses manage their mental wellbeing by providing them with information regarding coping skills, preventive risk assessment approaches (such as hospital preparedness and rapid risk assessment), and the ability to respond. This study evaluated the effect of fear and risk assessment management on nurses' mental wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia. A total of 507 nurses who worked in tertiary public hospitals were asked to take a descriptive design survey. Three survey scales were used to assess the survey: the Risk Assessment Scale, the Fear of COVID-19 Scale, and the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale. Independent t-tests and a one-way ANOVA were used to examine the association between fear of COVID-19 and nurses' demographic characteristics on their mental wellbeing. A multiple regression analysis was performed to examine the predictors associated with mental wellbeing. Findings revealed that almost half of the participants showed moderate positive mental wellbeing, 49.7%, while only 14% had low levels of fear on the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well being Scale. Most of the respondents had low levels of fear on the Fear of COVID-19 Scale, 45%, while only 15% had high levels of fear on the scale. Then, some demographic variables, such as "age," "nationality," "total years of experience in the current hospital," and "region you work at" had statistically significant differences with p < 0.5. Meanwhile, risk assessment is also associated with mental wellbeing scores. All items on the Fear of COVID-19 Scale showed no significant difference with a P > 0.05. In conclusion, most nurses providing direct patient care to a patient with COVID-19 emphasized the importance of wearing PPE and performing hand hygiene before and after any clean or aseptic procedure. Meanwhile, although almost all nurses were vaccinated, they were still afraid of a COVID-19 infection. Additionally, the results reported that the older the nurses are, the better their mental wellbeing scores. Non-Saudi nurses had higher perceived mental wellbeing scores than Saudi nurses, and different working environments corresponded to different mental wellbeing scores. Finally, nurses' risk assessment was associated with mental wellbeing scores.

Emotion Regulation and Psychological Capital of Chinese University Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Serial Mediation Effect of Learning Satisfaction and Learning Engagement

The mediating mechanism between the emotion regulation and psychological capital of university students is currently unclear. This study analyzed the serial mediation of learning satisfaction and learning engagement on the relationship between the emotion regulation and psychological capital of university students during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. A total of 328 undergraduates and postgraduates from universities in different regions of China were surveyed through an online questionnaire. The tools used in the study were the emotion regulation questionnaire, university student learning satisfaction questionnaire, learning engagement questionnaire, and psychological capital questionnaire. The analysis revealed both direct and indirect mediation effects. It was found that emotion regulation can positively predict psychological capital. Further, learning satisfaction and learning engagement can act as mediating variables between emotion regulation and psychological capital, respectively. Learning satisfaction and learning engagement can also have a serial mediation effect between emotion regulation and psychological capital. The results show that learning support should be strengthened to improve the learning satisfaction and learning engagement of students and, consequently, enhance their psychological capital.

BURNOUT, RESILIENCE AND PSYCHOLOGICAL FLEXIBILITY IN FRONTLINE NURSES DURING THE ACUTE PHASE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC (2020) IN MADRID-SPAIN

Background

In April 2020, Spain was the country with the highest number of patients infected by COVID‐19 in Europe. The pressure on health care providers has had a direct impact on nurses and their mental health.

Aim

The aim of this study is to demonstrate the causal relationship between resilience, acceptance, experiential avoidance, psychological inflexibility and burnout syndrome, all of which are measured with validated questionnaires.

Methods

This was designed as a transversal correlational study with nurses who worked during the acute phase of the pandemic in public hospitals in the Community of Madrid with patients diagnosed with COVID‐19 in COVID‐19 medical hospitalization units, emergency services and intensive care units. Google Forms was used to obtain an informed consent sheet, socio‐demographic variables and the following questionnaires: 10 CD‐Risk, Connor‐Davidson Risk Resilience Scale, Acceptance and Action Questionnaire‐II and the Maslach Burnout Inventory.

Results

The final sample included 375 nurses with a high number of consecutive days of direct exposure to an infected patient and a very high number of consecutive days without rest; almost 18% suffered from COVID‐19. The nurses presented medium levels of resilience, medium levels of experiential avoidance and medium levels as measured for emotional exhaustion, personal accomplishment and depersonalization. We also found a predictive correlation between all the dimensions of the burnout questionnaire in relation to the data obtained from the resilience questionnaire.

Conclusions

There is a direct and predictive relationship between the resilience that nurses had during the acute phase of the pandemic and their capacity for acceptance, experiential avoidance, psychological inflexibility and burnout syndrome.

Implications for Nursing Management

The scores show the necessity to implement preventive measures to avoid fatal psychological consequences for nurses.

The relationship between frontline nurses’ skin lesions and their anxiety and depression during the COVID‐19 pandemic: exploring the mediating role of fear and resilience

Aim

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Implications for nursing management

Impact of thriving at work on eustress and distress: career growth as mediator

Purpose

Thriving at work can affect eustress and distress differently, so the main purpose of this study is to determine the impact of thriving at work on stress and to extend the existing literature on stress by examining the mediating mechanism of career growth, which is one of the functions of human resource development, in the relationship between thriving at work and stress. Person environment fit theory is used to explain the framework.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 179 employees of the hospitality sector of Pakistan to assess the impact of thriving at work on eustress and distress through the mediation of career growth. Structural equation modeling was used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

Results revealed thriving at work is positively related to eustress whereas it is negatively related to distress, and there is a positive association between thriving and career growth. Furthermore, career growth appeared as an effective explanatory mechanism for relationships between thriving at work and stress. Implications for managers are also discussed.

Originality/value

This study encompasses both positive and negative stressors. There are lots of studies available that examine thriving at work and stress, but the present study aims to examine the impact of thriving on both aspects of stress in the presence of career growth as the mediator in the hospitality sector of Pakistan. It also opens new avenues for research on P-E fit theory to gain benefit from the eustress of employees.

Resilience of frontline nurses during the COVID pandemic in China: A qualitative study

The aim of this study was to describe the resilience of nurses who cared for patients with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis, as well as factors that potentially contributed to that resilience. A total of 23 frontline nurses who cared for patients with COVID-19 were recruited from a COVID-19-designated facility in Shanghai, China, using purposive sampling strategies. In-depth interviews were conducted from March to May 2020. Qualitative data were transcribed verbatim and content analysis was used. Nurses exhibited psychological resilience while caring for patients with COVID-19. They displayed an ability to bounce back from negative mental experiences and transform to a positive mindset to cope with the stress they faced. Factors that enhanced the nurses' resilience during the pandemic were their becoming familiar with infectious disease protocols, having a sense of professional achievement, receiving social support, having trust in the infection-control response team in the hospital, and using self-regulation strategies. This study could guide the design of future resilience-enhancing interventions that provide positive coping strategies for nurses caring for individuals with infectious diseases during a pandemic.

Problematic Social Media Usage and Anxiety Among University Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Mediating Role of Psychological Capital and the Moderating Role of Academic Burnout

The outbreak of COVID-19 has greatly affected university students' studies and life. This study aimed to examine the possible mediating role of psychological capital and the moderating role of academic burnout in the relationship between problematic social media usage and anxiety among university students during COVID-19. A total of 3,123 undergraduates from universities in Shanghai participated in an online survey from March to April 2020. The results showed that problematic social media usage among university students predicted their levels of anxiety. Mediation analysis indicated that psychological capital mediated the relationship between problematic social media usage and anxiety. Furthermore, for university students whose academic performance had been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the effects of both problematic social media usage and the psychological capital on anxiety were moderated by academic burnout. For university students whose academic performance was not affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, academic burnout moderated the effects of psychological capital but not the effects of problematic social media usage on anxiety. The results highlighted the underlying mechanisms in the relationship between problematic social media usage and anxiety. These findings provide practical insights into the development and implementation of psychological interventions when facing a pandemic.