Empathy, self-compassion, and depression correlations among health professionals in Northern Greece.

OBJECTIVE: Aim: To study and record the level of empathy and self-compassion of the medical and nursing staff of a general hospital in North Greece, and to investigate their connection to depression levels.. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and Methods: The study sample consists of 88 people (66 women and 22 men), medical and nursing staff of the General Hospital of Kavala (northern Greece) who filled out a questionnaire. The questionnaire consists of 4 parts: 1) socio-demographic data; 2) the Toronto Empathy Questionnaire (TEQ); 3) Self- Compassion Scale (SCS), and 4) the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). For the statistical processing of the data, SPSS v.25 software was used. RESULTS: Results: The mean total value for TEQ indicates moderate high level of empathy (M = 40.5). For self-compassion the mean total value for SCS was moderate (M = 82.6) and the BDI shows a low level of depression (M = 28.7). A high level of empathy corresponds to a high level of self-compassion (ρ(88) = 0.263, p = 0013). Older ages correspond to a lower level of depression (ρ(88) = -0.218, p = .042). CONCLUSION: Conclusions: Empathy is a key factor for the creation of the therapeutic relationship between the patient and the healthcare provider, while increasing the level of the health provider's self-compassion. Increased levels of self-compassion and older age among providers may correspond to lower levels of depression.

Assessing hostility in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

COPD is a disease that can adversely affect patients' psychology. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether COPD patients feel increased hostility, and if hostility is associated with socio-economic factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 203 COPD patients in primary health care services in Greece, using the hostility and direction of hostility questionnaire HDHQ. Patient demographics, smoking habits, body mass index (BMI) and disease grade were also recorded. The results showed significant differences between males and females, with women exhibiting higher hostility (p = 0.004). Age correlates negatively with hostility, with younger patients showing higher values. Patients who continue to smoke (p = 0.005), and those in a very poor financial situation, have a much higher level of hostility. Regarding family status, married patients show the least hostility. In patients with very severe COPD and those with low education (p = 0.035) there is a high level of self-criticism. In conclusion, patients with COPD, still smokers, single, low-income and low-educated, especially female patients, have a higher risk of developing hostility. These findings suggest a need for further research in order to clarify the complexity of the different risk factors.

Efficacy of a support group intervention on psychopathological characteristics among caregivers of psychotic patients.

BACKGROUND: Families of individuals with psychotic disorders are playing a major role in the care of their relatives, but report poorer physical competence, elevated symptoms of psychological distress and more psychopathological characteristics. AIM: To compare psychopathological characteristics demonstrated by caregivers of psychotic patients in Greece who participated in support groups organized by non-governmental mental health organizations (NGOMH) compared to caregivers who did not. METHODS: Participants were caregivers of a psychotic patient assigned to either the intervention group (n = 165) or the non-intervention group (n = 345) according to specific criteria. Participants were assessed for psychopathological characteristics through clinical interviews and with the Symptom Checklist 90-Revised (SCL-90-R). RESULTS: Participants who did not take part in the support groups had higher levels of psychopathological characteristics on the dimensions of interpersonal sensitivity (t = -2.065, p = .003), depression (t = 1.043, p = .007), anxiety (t = 1.001, p = .010), hostility (t = -4.345, p < .001), phobic anxiety (t = -2.845, p < .001) and paranoid ideation (t = -1.091, p < .001). Psychotic relatives of participating caregivers show higher compliance rates in taking their medications, and female caregivers tend to be more involved in the support groups. CONCLUSION: Participation in support groups and sharing of emotional expression, thoughts and ideas help the caregivers deal with their physical and psychological demands related to the caregiver load. As such, intervention strategies offered to caregivers in the support groups appear to positively contribute to the family with a psychotic patient and improve the quality of life of both patients and their main caregivers.

Validation of the Greek translation of the Nursing Dimensions Inventory questionnaire (NDI-35).

CONTEXT: The concept of care is a fundamental issue in nursing science. Therefore the development and the use of tools for assessing care is an imperative for the nursing profession. The NDI-35 questionnaire is one such tool for assessing the nursing care. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this paper is to adapt and use the NDI-35 questionnaire in Greek nursing practice. A translation and validation of NDI-35 questionnaire is performed. METHODS: Exploratory factor analyses, as well as internal consistency and test-retest analyses, were conducted. Forward translations from English were produced by three independent Greek translators and then back translations by five independent bilingual translators. The Greek NDI-35 questionnaire that was produced was administered to 200 nurses (144 women and 56 men) from tertiary and secondary health care facilities. Data were analyzed using principal component analysis and Cronbach's alpha. RESULTS: One hundred and eighty four nurses that answered the NDI-35 questionnaire were graduates from the Technological Educational Institute (T.E.I.) and 64% of the respondents had more than 15 years of professional experience. Two subscales arbitrarily called "clinical work" and "patient needs" emerged, with the mean "clinical work" subscale score being at 70.16 ±12.90 (a maximum of 85) and mean "patient needs" subscale at 21.49± 6.16. Considerable differences in scoring among different items were observed when the NDI-35 answers were compared to their Greek counterparts'. Results confirmed that: (a) the translated versions are an accurate translation of the original, (b) factor analyses established similar factor solutions as that of the English versions, (c) reliability coefficients are satisfactory (i.e., Cronbach's ? coefficients and test-retests), and (d) construct validity revealed similarities between English and Greek versions, replications consistent with past research, as well as differences explained through theoretical frameworks. Therefore, both scales were accepted as valid and reliable measures in Greek-speaking populations. CONCLUSION: Alphas and test-retest correlation suggest the Greek translated and validated NDI-35 questionnaire is a reliable tool for assessing nursing care. Factor analysis and focus group input suggest it is a valid tool. Nurses in different settings may perceive nursing care differently. The findings of the current paper are discussed in the context of nurse education and assessment of care.