Effectiveness of Positive Psychological Intervention on Resilience Improvement in Nurses

Summary

The nursing profession, comprising over 27.9 million individuals and representing 59% of the health sector, plays a critical role in frontline healthcare globally. However, nurses face significant workplace stress due to factors like high mortality rates and ethical dilemmas, which can negatively impact their mental health. Resilience has emerged as a crucial concept in mitigating workplace stress and protecting nurses' psychological well-being. Studies show a negative correlation between stress and resilience, with higher resilience linked to better psychological outcomes and lower rates of burnout. Resilience, a dynamic process of positive adaptation to stress, can be enhanced through interventions like positive psychology, which focuses on developing traits such as perseverance, interpersonal skills, and emotional stability. These interventions have been shown to reduce burnout, improve job satisfaction, and potentially enhance patient care, making them vital in addressing the unique challenges nurses face.

Gap of Knowledge:

Although existing research has demonstrated the effectiveness of positive psychology interventions in reducing depression, anxiety, burnout, and stress among healthcare workers, including nurses, there is a need for more targeted randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that specifically address the unique stressors and work environments of nurses. Furthermore, the long-term effects of these interventions on nurses' resilience, stress, burnout, and job satisfaction require further exploration through well-designed RCTs.

Research Aims and Hypothesis:

The present study aims to

1. evaluate whether a positive psychology intervention, based on evidence-based activities from several positive psychology theories, can improve resilience in nurses, and
2. assess whether this intervention can also enhance stress levels, reduce burnout, and improve job satisfaction among nurses.

The hypotheses are:

1. the positive psychology intervention will improve nurses' resilience;
2. the intervention will positively impact stress, burnout, and job satisfaction; and
3. it will be more effective for nurses with low resilience in improving these outcomes.

Conditions

• Nurses
• Resilience, Psychological
• Positive Psychology

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Positive Psychology Intervention

The 14-session intervention program is designed to enhance various internal resiliency factors. It begins with an orientation to positive psychology and setting group guidelines. Cognitive resilience is developed through identifying personal and signature strengths, reappraising memories, and learning savoring techniques. Emotional resilience is strengthened by focusing on forgiveness, managing decision fatigue, and fostering positive communication. Spiritual resilience is cultivated through gratitude practices and exploring hope and optimism. Behavioral resilience is addressed by recognizing strengths in others and engaging in altruism. The final session integrates all these elements to promote lasting positive changes in engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishments. Mid-session feedback ensures the program's effectiveness and responsiveness to participants' needs.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Fitria Endah Janitra

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Fitria Endah Janitra · Universitas Islam Sultan Agung

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

60 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2024-09-09

Primary Completion

2025-03-09

Completion

2025-06-09

Countries

• Indonesia

Study Locations