scholarly journals Reducing perceived stress through an orientation program for nursing students entering their first nursing course

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (9) ◽  
pp. 54
Author(s):  
Lisa Sparacino ◽  
B. Suzy Diggle

Background: The faculty of an introductory nursing course noted that students expressed, over several years, apprehension regarding expectations such as studying for exams and how to better organize their time. Nursing students are known to experience a greater amount of anxiety than non-nursing students. This anxiety interferes with their ability to be successful in their selected major.Purpose and methods: The purpose of this study was to determine if an orientation program would reduce the perceived anxiety of students who have been admitted to their first nursing course, and of their families and significant others. Spielberger’s State-Trait Anxiety Questionnaire was administered to measure changes in stress levels before and after exposure to an orientation program designed for incoming nursing students and their significant others.Results and conclusions: The results indicated that the anxiety levels of the participants were significantly reduced after the orientation program. The results are important as a decrease in the anxiety levels of nursing students could be directly correlated to their success.

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nur Wahyuni Munir ◽  
Najihah Najihah ◽  
Trisulawati Lutia

Stress is the body's reaction to the environment that is considered dangerous. Metabolism and blood circulation become disturbed if the psychiatric feel depressed which can cause illness. This study aims to determine the effect of therapy of the Qur'anic verses on reducing stress levels in nursing students in completing their thesis at the Muslim University of Indonesia. This type of research uses a quasi-experimental with one group pre-post design on 18 respondents using purposive sampling technique. The research instrument used a questionnaire. The statistical test of the paired sample test shows the value of p = 0.042 with ? = 0.05. The results showed that the stress level of students compiling their thesis at the Muslim University of Indonesia decreased from 88.9% to 66.7% after being given therapy for the Qur'anic verses. The conclusion of this study is that there is an effect of the therapy of Qur'anic verses on reducing stress levels in nursing students in completing theses at Muslim University of Indonesia and there are differences in student stress levels in preparing theses at Indonesian Muslim University before and after receiving verse therapy.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 592-599
Author(s):  
ışın cantekin

This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the perceived stress levels of nursing students regarding the clinical practice during the Covid-19 pandemic. The study was conducted between May 20 and June 20, 2020, with 252 students studying in all classes in the Nursing Departments of Necmettin Erbakan University. The data were collected using the Information Form and the Perceived Stress Scale for Nursing Students (PSSNS). 52.0% of the students felt uncomfortable thinking about Covid-19, and 62.2% stated that their anxiety increased when they thought they were infected with Covid-19. The study further revealed that 57.9% of the nursing students were afraid to provide care to the individuals diagnosed with Covid-19 and 82.1% stated that they did not have enough knowledge to provide care to those individuals. Our study revealed that there is a statistically significant difference between the mean scores of the Perceived Stress Scale for Nursing Students and the students’ gender (p<0.01), the status of willingly choosing the nursing profession (p<0.01), the interest in the nursing profession during the Covid-19 pandemic (p<0.01), having enough knowledge to provide care to individuals diagnosed with Covid-19 (p<0.01), being uncomfortable thinking about Covid-19 (p<0.01), being afraid to provide care to individuals diagnosed with Covid-19 (p<0.01), and the increased anxiety level thinking that they were infected with Covid-19 (p<0.01). In this study, female nurses and nurses who did not choose the nursing profession willingly, whose interests in the nursing profession were negatively affected during the pandemic period, who believe that they do not have the knowledge or who do not want to provide care to individuals diagnosed with Covid-19, who are afraid to provide care, and who are uncomfortable thinking about Covid-19 were found to have higher perceived stress levels. It is recommended to offer training and counseling to the nursing students with high perceived stress levels


2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 108-111
Author(s):  
Nicola Holme ◽  
Catherine Harrison ◽  
Paul Newland ◽  
Ben N J Shaw

ObjectivesTo determine whether there is a significant stress response to the Newborn Life Support airway test (NLSAT) among healthcare professionals in the UK.DesignQuantitative study measuring both stress and anxiety of candidates on Newborn Life Support (NLS) courses measuring salivary cortisol levels along with validated anxiety questionnaires (State Trait Anxiety Inventory).SettingUK NLS course centres.Participants80 healthcare professionals (nurses, doctors and midwives) on NLS courses.InterventionsStress levels measured (cortisol swabs and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI)) at baseline, immediately before and 20 min after starting the NLSAT.ResultsCortisol measurements failed to detect any significant rise in stress levels as a result of the NLSAT. Significant anxiety was induced by the NLSAT based on STAI scores. STAI scores rose significantly in all professionals from baseline to post-NLSAT, with the greatest change detected for midwives (+11.82 (SD 7.64, p<0.001)) compared with nurses (+8.86 (SD 12.1, p<0.001)) and doctors (+7.96 (SD 2.9.69, p<0.001)). Experience had no impact on stress levels.ConclusionsAnxiety levels induced by the NLSAT are significant and should be considered when instructing and developing the NLS course.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lona Prasad ◽  
Aneesha Varrey ◽  
Giovanni Sisti

Objective. To determine the effect of six weeks of yoga and meditation on medical students’ levels of perceived stress and sense of wellbeing prior to taking their exams. Methods. We conducted a prospective case-control study of first-through-third-year medical students at our academic institution, measuring levels of perceived stress and sense of wellbeing before and after a six-week yoga and meditation intervention. Questionnaires used for evaluation included the perceived stress scale (PSS) and self-assessment surveys (SAS). The postintervention surveys were completed on the day of the students’ written exams. Results. A total of thirteen women and fourteen men participated. Median age was 28 (24 yrs–32 yrs). 48.1% were Caucasian, 7.4% Black, 11.1% Hispanic, 11.1% Asian, and 22.2% other. Paired t-tests showed a statistically significant reduction in perceived stress (18.44 versus 14.52; p=0.004) after the six-week yoga and meditation program. After the yoga intervention, self-assessment survey results showed a significant improvement in feelings of peace, focus, and endurance. Improvements in happiness, positivity, personal satisfaction, and self-confidence were also seen. An improvement in unsubstantiated parameters such as patience and fatigue was observed. Conclusion. Yoga and meditation may be effective in reducing stress levels and improving aspects of personal wellbeing in medical students.


2017 ◽  
Vol 75 (12) ◽  
pp. 850-857 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodrigo Luiz Vancini ◽  
Angeles Bonal Rosell Rayes ◽  
Claudio Andre Barbosa de Lira ◽  
Karine Jacon Sarro ◽  
Marilia Santos Andrade

ABSTRACT Objective: To compare the effects of Pilates and walking on quality of life, depression, and anxiety levels. Methods: Sixty-three overweight/obese participants were randomly divided into: control (n = 20), walking (n = 21), and Pilates (n = 22) groups. Pilates and walking groups attended eight weeks of 60-minute exercise sessions three times per week. Quality of life, depression, and state- and trait-anxiety levels were evaluated before and after eight weeks of training. Results: Scores of quality of life, depression, and trait-anxiety improved in the Pilates and walking groups. State-anxiety levels improved only in the walking group. Conclusion: Pilates and walking positively impact quality of life, depression and anxiety. The Pilates method could be used as an alternative to improve mood disorders in overweight/obese individuals.


2003 ◽  
Vol 46 (5) ◽  
pp. 1197-1206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashley Craig ◽  
Karen Hancock ◽  
Yvonne Tran ◽  
Magali Craig

The question of whether people who stutter are generally more anxious than people who do not stutter has not yet been resolved. One major methodological barrier to determining whether differences exist has been the type of stuttering sample used. Studies investigating anxiety levels of those who stutter have mostly assessed people referred to stuttering therapy clinics, which is arguably a biased sample. To date, no studies have been published that have measured the anxiety levels of people who stutter in the community using random selection procedures. Such a sample is more likely to be representative of the population of people who stutter. The present study involved a random selection and telephone interview of people in 4,689 households. The telephone respondent was given a description of stuttering and asked if any person living in their household stuttered. If yes, a number of corroborative questions were asked, and permission was requested to tape the speech of the person believed to stutter over the telephone. A definite case of stuttering was based on (a) a positive detection of stuttering from the tape and (b) at least one of the corroborative questions supporting the diagnosis. A total of 87 people were identified as definite cases of stuttering across all ages, and 63 participants who were 15 years or older completed a trait anxiety questionnaire over the telephone. Mean trait anxiety levels were significantly higher than levels generally found in society, though differences were not large. Implications of these results are discussed.


Author(s):  
emel tasci ◽  
serdal ogut ◽  
mehmet özkaya

This study aimed to studying the effects of planned training given to women with preeclamptic pregnancy on stress-anxiety and oxidative stress levels. A non-randomised controlled-study study, carried out in Gynecology and Obstetrics Clinics of Research and Application Hospital of one university. In the study, 28 preeclamptic patients matching the sampling criteria were taken as the experimental group and 22 other preeclamptic patients who also match the sampling criteria constituted the control group. Questionnaire, scale application and laboratory evaluation for the control group were performed only once. In the experimental group, there is a statistically significant difference between the TAS (mmol trolox equ./L) (t = -9.71 P = 0.00) and the TOS (lmol H2O2 equ./L) (t = 6.56 P = 0.00) measurements before and after the training and there is a statistically significant difference between the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (t = 3.64 P = 0.00) before and after the training. It has been determined in the study that the planned training given to the pregnant women who received a diagnosis of preeclampsia has decreased their oxidative stress levels and state anxiety levels.


2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanna Edebol-Carlman ◽  
Martien Schrooten ◽  
Brjánn Ljótsson ◽  
Katja Boersma ◽  
Steven Linton ◽  
...  

Abstract Background and aims: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), is a common multifactorial gastrointestinal disorder linked to disturbances in the microbe gut-brain axis. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), in face-to-face format has showed promising results on IBS and its associated psychological symptoms. The present study explored for the first time if CBT for IBS affects the autonomic nervous system (ANS) during experimentally induced visceral pain and cognitive stress, respectively. The levels of state and trait anxiety, current and perceived stress were also evaluated. Methods: In this uncontrolled trial, individual CBT was performed in face-to-face format for 12 weeks in 18 subjects with IBS. Heart rate variability and skin conductance were measured during experimentally induced visceral pain and during a cognitive task (Stroop color-word test), before and after intervention. The levels of state and trait anxiety as well as self-rated current and perceived stress were also measured before and after the intervention. Results: CBT did not affect ANS activity during experimentally induced visceral pain and cognitive stress. The sympathetic activity was high, typical for IBS and triggered during both visceral pain and cognitive stress. The levels of state and trait anxiety significantly decreased after the intervention. No significant changes in self-rated current or perceived stress were found. Conclusions: Results suggest that face-to-face CBT for IBS improved anxiety- a key psychological mechanism for the IBS pathophysiology, rather than the autonomic stress response to experimentally induced visceral pain and cognitive stress, respectively. Implications: This study indicates that IBS patients present high levels of stress and difficulties coping with anxiety and ANS activity during visceral pain and a cognitive stress test, respectively. These manifestations of IBS are however not targeted by CBT, and do not seem to be central for the study participants IBS symptoms according to the current and our previous study. Face-to-face CBT for IBS, it does not seem to affect modulation of ANS activity in response to induced visceral pain or cognitive stress. Instead, face-to-face CBT decreased levels of state and trait anxiety. Implications for further studies include that anxiety seems to be important in the IBS pathophysiology, and needs further scientific attention. This is in line with the fear-avoidance model which suggests that anxious responses to pain and discomfort drive hypervigilance to, and (behavioral) avoidance of, symptom provoking stimuli and vice versa. Catastrophic cognitions, hypervigilance and avoidant behavioral responses are proposed to produce vicious circles that withhold and exacerbate pain-related symptoms and disability, and lead to lower quality of life. Larger scale studies of potential autonomic changes are needed in order to elucidate which mechanisms elicit its effects in face-to-face CBT for IBS, and provide new avenues in understanding the pathophysiology of IBS.


2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 893-907 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann R. Beck ◽  
Heidi Verticchio ◽  
Scott Seeman ◽  
Emma Milliken ◽  
Heidi Schaab

Purpose The purpose of the present study was to explore the effects of a mindfulness practice on participants' levels of self-compassion, perfectionism, attention, and perceived and biological stress. Method This was a between-groups design. Experimental participants engaged in a short mindfulness practice weekly for one academic semester; control participants did not. All participants completed three self-report scales measuring perceived stress, self-compassion, and perfectionism before and after mindfulness sessions. In addition, electrophysiological measures were taken before and after to determine changes in biological markers of stress and attention. Experimental participants also kept reflective journals that were analyzed qualitatively. Results Compared with control participants, by the end of the semester, experimental participants' perceived stress levels and potentially negative aspects of perfectionism decreased and biological markers of stress and self-compassion improved. Experimental participants' reflective writings indicated they perceived the sessions to be beneficial. Although the results are promising, no significant effect was found for attention. Conclusions Engaging in a 20-min mindfulness practice using simple yoga posture and breath work across an academic semester appears to be effective in reducing students' perceived and biological stress levels and maladaptive aspects of perfectionism and in increasing their self-compassion. These are all factors that can improve students' overall well-being.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (Suppl. 1) ◽  
pp. 259-265
Author(s):  
Fatma Uçan Yarkaç ◽  
Ümmühan Tekin Atay ◽  
Nisa Nur Dinçer ◽  
Elif Öncü

Aim: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can cause stress, anxiety, and fear, especially in healthcare workers as it has a high risk of transmission. The aim of this study was to investigate the levels of stress and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic among dentists working in our country. Methodology: The study included 164 dentists. Sociodemographic data and the stress and anxiety levels of the individuals who participated in the study were recorded. The COVID-19 Stress Scale and the Perceived Stress Scale-10 were used for evaluation of the stress levels, and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 was used to evaluate the anxiety levels. All data were considered statistically significant at p < 0.05. Results: Among those who participated in the study, 112 were women and 52 were men, and 50% of them were 20 to 30 years of age. Based on the information these dentists provided, 63% did not have any expertise and 66% had worked in the normalization process. Their scores in the COVID-19 Stress Scale, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale 7, and Perceived Stress Scale-10 were 64.4 ± 25.2, 5.46 ± 4.8, and 18.8 ± 5.9, respectively, and there was a positive correlation between all scales. When evaluating the stress levels according to gender, it was observed that those of the female dentists were higher than those of the male dentists (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the anxiety levels between the male and female dentists. While there were no significant differences between the dentists who worked during the pandemic process and those who did not work (p > 0.05), the COVID-19 stress levels were found to be lower in the normalization process (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused stress and anxiety in dentists and has affected female dentists more than male dentists. In addition, working during the pandemic process can benefit dentists by helping to reduce the stress caused by the pandemic.   How to cite this article: Öncü E, Dinçer NN, Uçan Yarkaç F, Tekin Atay Ü. Evaluation of dentists' stress and anxiety levels in the COVID-19 pandemic. Int Dent Res 2021;11(Suppl.1):259-65. https://doi.org/10.5577/intdentres.2021.vol11.suppl1.38   Linguistic Revision: The English in this manuscript has been checked by at least two professional editors, both native speakers of English.


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