Gender difference in emotional distress among nursing and health science college students: An online survey.

This cross-sectional study investigates the self-reported emotional distress of medical, nursing, dental, pharmacy, and public health students and identifies gender-related differences through an online survey. The data of 364 students were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficients and multiple logistic regression. Emotional distress was more prevalent among female respondents (11.7 %) than male (3.8 %) respondents. The stigma, isolation, and depression experienced by female respondents influenced their emotional distress, whereas only the depression of male respondents influenced their emotional distress. Our findings suggest that mental health professionals should consider gender-specific factors when developing interventions for the study population to minimize emotional distress.

Diabetes self-care behaviours among people diagnosed with serious mental illness: A cross-sectional correlational study.

WHAT IS KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT?: People diagnosed with serious mental illness have a high risk of diabetes and are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes at ages below 60 years. Effective diabetes self-care behaviours among people diagnosed with serious mental illness can improve glycaemic control and reduce vascular complications. Few studies have investigated diabetes self-care behaviours and their associations with health literacy and self-efficacy in people diagnosed with serious mental illness. WHAT THE PAPER ADDS TO EXISTING KNOWLEDGE?: Diabetes self-care behaviours in people diagnosed with serious mental illness were suboptimal; the least frequently performed self-care activities were self-monitoring of blood glucose. Factors associated with diabetes self-care behaviours are gender, age, communicative and critical health literacy and self-efficacy. Self-efficacy is the strongest predictor of self-care behaviours among people diagnosed with comorbid serious mental illness and type 2 diabetes. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS OF PRACTICE?: Mental health nurses should assess diabetes-specific health literacy of people diagnosed with serious mental illness to ensure that they possess the knowledge and skills related to diabetes self-care. When treating young people and those with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes, nurses should incorporate strategies to minimise their perceptions of diabetes-related distress and increase their confidence in managing comorbid diabetes. ABSTRACT: Introduction People diagnosed with serious mental illness (SMI) experience greater challenges in managing their type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) than do those diagnosed with T2DM alone. Aim This study investigated diabetes self-care activities and the factors associated with these activities in people diagnosed with SMI in a hospital setting. Methods A cross-sectional correlational study was conducted among 126 people diagnosed with comorbid SMI and T2DM in Taipei, Taiwan, between October 2020 and April 2021. Data were collected using self-report questionnaires and a chart review. Three-step hierarchical multiple regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with diabetes self-care behaviours. Results Diabetes self-care behaviours in people diagnosed with SMI were suboptimal overall. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses revealed that age (ß = 0.18, p = .037) and self-efficacy (ß = 0.27, p = .004) significantly associated with diabetes self-care behaviours. Discussion Self-efficacy is the strongest predictor of self-care behaviours among people diagnosed with comorbid SMI and T2DM. Implications for Practice Mental health professionals should focus on enhancing confidence in managing comorbid diabetes in people diagnosed with comorbid SMI, especially young people and those with newly diagnosed T2DM.

[Coronasomnia: A Concept Analysis].

COVID-19 has been a global pandemic for three years. Symptoms experienced by patients with this disease include fever, cough, fatigue, muscle pain, and diarrhea as well as mental health issues. The terms "coronasomnia" and "COVID-somnia" emerged in 2021 to describe sleep disorders attributable to stress associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. In this study, the concept analysis method proposed by Walker & Avant (2019) was utilized to define the concept of coronasomnia (Walker & Avant, 2019), with three key attributes identified, including COVID-related anxiety or depression; insomnia that emerges after the pandemic; and experiencing difficulty falling asleep, interrupted sleep, or early morning awakenings accompanied by difficulty returning to sleep. Furthermore, the concept was elucidated in this study using typical, borderline, opposite, and relative cases. Lastly, evidence-based tools for validating the antecedents and consequences of coronasomnia were introduced. We hope the results of this concept analysis enhance nurses' understanding of coronasomnia and facilitate the implementation of clinical care and research in this area.

[Using Employment Support to Foster Social Inclusion for Patients With Mental Disorders].

Social inclusion is a concept that is being widely discussed within the realms of politics and policy in the 21st century. Social inclusion is an essential element of social policy in Taiwan. Although fostering social inclusion for patients with mental disorders is a main focus of global health concern, this issue has been little explored in the nursing literature. Employment is both an important path by which patients with mental disorders return to the community and one of the sustainable development goals of the United Nations. Although the government of Taiwan has made significant efforts to improve employment services for patients with mental disorders, the results have been disappointing. Nurses must better understand the meaning of work for patients with mental disorders and the difficulties they face; reflect on the deficiencies and limitations of nursing practice; and strengthen their professional abilities to provide effective employment support care to patients with mental disorders. We also need to advocate for appropriate employment transition services to be provided by various government departments and civil organizations, for the development of an effective case management system, and for the provision of ongoing employment support to patients with mental disorders. The above activities and actions can assist patients with mental disorders to increase their social participation by taking stable and safe jobs, which will reduce the risk of their isolation from society and help nurses fulfill their responsibility for providing social care to patients with mental disorders.

Dietary Management in Individuals With Serious Mental Illness and Comorbid Diabetes: A Focused Ethnography Study.

BACKGROUND: Patients with serious mental illness (SMI) are more likely to have Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, studies that discuss the eating habits of patients with both T2DM and SMI are lacking. PURPOSE: This study was designed to explore the beliefs and experiences of Taiwanese patients with SMI who also have T2DM. METHODS: Fieldwork for this study included 2 years of participant observation and individual interviews with 13 patients with SMI. Data from transcripts of observational field notes and interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed. RESULTS: The participants described their experiences and concerns regarding dietary management during the period after receiving their T2DM diagnosis. The results of the data analysis were distinguished into three categories, including (a) increased difficulty in life, (b) positive view of dietary control, and (c) inability to abide by dietary restrictions. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that healthcare professionals should work to better understand the challenges faced by patients with SMI and T2DM in implementing changes and resisting the temptation to eat unhealthy food and provide suggestions tailored to their cultural background, lifestyle, and eating characteristics.

Physical health attitude scale among mental health nurses in Taiwan: Validation and a cross-sectional study.

The Physical Health Attitude Scale (PHASe) is an internationally valid and reliable scale for assessing mental health nurses' attitudes toward providing physical health care to people with serious mental illness. This study translated the PHASe into traditional Chinese and evaluated its psychometric properties in the context of Taiwan. A descriptive, cross-sectional study design was adopted, and convenience sampling was used to recruit 520 mental health nurses from 11 hospitals across Taiwan. Data were collected between August and December 2019. Brislin's translation model was used for the validation process. Exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were used to establish the construct validity of the scale, and Cronbach's alpha and composite reliability were used to determine its reliability. The factor analysis results revealed that the 4-factor 17-item traditional Chinese version of the PHASe accounted for 44.2% of the total variance. Each factor had adequate internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.70 to 0.80). We also noted significant differences between groups with different attitudes, demonstrating known-group validity. Our findings indicate that the traditional Chinese version of the PHASe is acceptable for evaluating nurses' attitudes toward providing physical health care in Taiwan.

The benefit of vegetarian diets for reducing blood pressure in Taiwan: a historically prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: Past vegetarians research has often found that they have lower blood pressure (BP). Effects may include their lower BMI and higher intake levels of fruit and vegetables. Besides, the study pursues to extend this evidence in a diverse population containing vegans, lacto-ovo vegetarians and omnivores. DESIGN: The study analyzed data on five hundred vigorous individuals aged 20 years or older from a standard medical screening program and provided validated questionnaire. Criteria were established for vegan, lacto-ovo vegetarian, partial vegetarian and omnivorous dietary patterns. SETTING: Health screening programs were conducted at a standard medical screening program in Taiwan between 2006 and 2017. Dietary data were gathered by self-administered questionnaire. SUBJECTS: Five hundred Taiwanese subjects representing the cohort. RESULTS: Multiple regression analyses confirmed that the vegan vegetarians had lower systolic and diastolic BP (mmHg) than omnivorous Taiwanese (ß = - 6.8, p < 0.05 and ß = - 6.9, p < 0.001). Findings for lacto-ovo vegetarians (ß = - 9.1, p < 0.001 and ß = - 5.8, p < 0.001) were similar. The vegetarians were also less likely to be using antihypertensive medications. Defining hypertension as systolic BP > 139 mmHg or diastolic BP > 89 mmHg or routine of antihypertensive medications, the odds ratio of hypertension compared with omnivores was 0.37 (95% CI = 0.19-0.74), 0.57 (95% CI = 0.36-0.92) and 0.92 (95% CI = 0.50-1.70), respectively, for vegans, lacto-ovo vegetarians and partial vegetarians. Results were reduced after adjustment for BMI. CONCLUSIONS: The study concludes from this relatively large study that vegetarians, especially vegans, with otherwise diverse characteristics but stable diets, do have lower systolic and diastolic BP and less hypertension than omnivores.

Nurses' views on the provision of physical healthcare for individuals with comorbid mental illness and chronic disease.

The prevalence of chronic diseases (such as diabetes, obesity, cancer, heart disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) continues to increase among patients with mental illness. This cross-sectional study investigated the factors affecting nurses' views on the provision of physical healthcare to patients with comorbid mental illness and chronic disease. In total, 369 nurses working in mental health were assessed for the physical healthcare attitudes and practices using the Physical Health Attitude Scale for Mental Health Nurses. The results of generalized linear modelling indicated that nurses' involvement in physical healthcare was associated with psychiatric mental health nurse credentials (B = 1.560, 95% CI = 0.292-2.828, P = 0.016) and their confidence in delivering physical healthcare was associated with prior physical healthcare training (B = 0.639, 95% CI = 0.104-1.174, P = 0.019). In addition, the frequency with which the nurses engaged in physical healthcare practices was associated with working in a community unit (B = -7.416, 95% CI = -9.652 to -5.180, P < 0.001), involvement in physical healthcare (B = 0.349, 95% CI = 0.162-0.535, P < 0.001), and confidence in delivering physical healthcare (B = 1.148, 95% CI = 0.776-1.519, P < 0.001). Our findings suggest that interventions aiming to help nurses assess and improve their own physical healthcare practices should consider nurses' background and patients' physical health needs in various settings and focus on cultivating an organizational culture that gives nurses confidence in providing physical healthcare.

[Cinema Teaching in Mental and Psychological Education: An Example Using RN-BSN Nursing Students].

Movies can be an effective tool for increasing the depth and breadth of learning. In this era of continuously advancing knowledge and technology, it is essential to design curricula that shorten the learning time of RN-BSN nursing students and arouse and stimulate their interest and potential. Designing an in-service nursing curriculum that enhances the self-reflection capabilities of students is challenging. Cinema teaching and the development of the plots model facilitate student engagement with movies. Through emotional development and the setting of background contexts, cinema teaching helps transform and establish students' knowledge of mental and psychological healthcare and increases their understanding of patient behaviors. Mental and psychological education aims to enhance cognition and provide practical learning strategies for in-serving nursing students. By implementing the cinema teaching method, students come to empathize with the pain and helplessness of patients and their families and learn how to provide care and social support to these patients.

Gender differences in metabolic syndrome risk factors among patients with serious mental illness.

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its components continue to increase among patients with serious mental illness. This cross-sectional study investigated whether metabolic syndrome prevalence and risk factors differ between male and female patients with serious mental illness. In total, 260 eligible patients were recruited from two hospitals. The data on demographic characteristics, lifestyle behaviour factors, biochemistry, and anthropometry were collected. Analyses were performed using multivariate logistic regression. Metabolic syndrome prevalence was 40.8% (35.1% in men and 46.8% in women). Among patients aged 40-49 years, metabolic syndrome prevalence was higher in men; however, the trend was reversed among patients aged 50 years or older. Notably, gender-specific metabolic syndrome risk factors were observed. In men, they included low education level, high body mass index (BMI), prolonged illness, comorbid physical illness, and diagnosis of bipolar disorder, whereas they included being married, old age, and high BMI in women. Our findings suggest that mental health professionals should consider the gender- and age-based metabolic syndrome prevalence trend in patients with serious mental illness when designing interventions for the study population to minimize metabolic syndrome prevalence.

Risk of anxiety and depressive disorders in patients with myocardial infarction: A nationwide population-based cohort study.

Anxiety and depressive symptoms are associated with adverse cardiovascular events after an acute myocardial infarction (MI). However, most studies focusing on anxiety or depression have used rating scales or self-report methods rather than clinical diagnosis. This study aimed to investigate the association between psychiatrist-diagnosed psychiatric disorders and cardiovascular prognosis.We sampled data from the National Health Insurance Research Database; 1396 patients with MI were recruited as the study cohort and 13,960 patients without MI were recruited as the comparison cohort. Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to examine the effect of MI on the risk of anxiety and depressive disorders.During the first 2 years of follow-up, patients with MI exhibited a significantly higher risk of anxiety disorders (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] = 5.06, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.61-5.54) and depressive disorders (adjusted HR = 7.23, 95% CI: 4.88-10.88) than those without MI did. Greater risk for anxiety and depressive disorders was observed among women and patients aged 45 to 64 years following an acute MI. Patients with post-MI anxiety had a 9.37-fold (95% CI: 4.45-19.70) higher risk of recurrent MI than those without MI did after adjustment for age, sex, socioeconomic status, and comorbidities.This nationwide population-based cohort study provides evidence that MI increases the risk of anxiety and depressive disorders during the first 2 years post-MI, and post-MI anxiety disorders are associated with a higher risk of recurrent MI.

Readiness of hospital nurses for disaster responses in Taiwan: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Because patients in disaster areas require the most critical care, mobilising hospital nurses has become a pivotal strategy. Given the importance of disaster nursing training programmes, understanding how well prepared hospital nurses are to provide disaster care is vital. OBJECTIVES: This paper analyses the perceived readiness of hospital nurses for a disaster response and the factors influencing their report for work outside the hospital environment. DESIGN: A cross-sectional research design was used. SETTINGS: This study was conducted at a military hospital in Taiwan. PARTICIPANTS: A sample of 311 registered nurses participated in this study. METHODS: Data were collected on readiness for disaster responses using a 40-item researcher-designed, self-administered questionnaire found to have satisfactory reliability and validity. The questionnaire has four domains: personal preparation (16 items), self-protection (11 items), emergency response (6 items), and clinical management (7 items). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, independent t-tests and generalised linear models. RESULTS: The majority of hospital nurses demonstrated poor readiness for disaster responses. Scores on the four domains were most associated with nurses' disaster-related training, experience in disaster response and emergency/intensive care experience. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that disaster-related training should be included in undergraduate programmes and continuing education courses to help hospital nurses recognise and improve their own readiness for disaster responses outside the hospital environment. Future research is needed to improve hospital nurses' disaster-response readiness in Taiwan and other countries.

Changes in Quality of Life After a Suicide Attempt.

The aim of this follow-up study was to examine factors related to a suicide attempt within 3 months of a prior attempt. Participants were recruited from a suicide-prevention center. Of 96 suicidal individuals who had participated in the baseline study, only 51 completed all measures at follow-up assessment. Study results showed that suicidal individuals who reattempted suicide during the first 3 months of follow-up care exhibited lower mean scores on all four domains of the brief version of the World Health Organization Quality-of-Life Instrument at follow-up assessment than at baseline. In contrast, individuals who did not reattempt suicide had higher quality-of-life scores across all domains between baseline and 3 months. The reattempt and no-reattempt groups differed significantly in the physical health and environmental domains. These results can be used by nurses to develop their abilities to recognize and prevent suicide reattempts in high-risk groups.

[Caring for families of charcoal-burning suicide patients].

Charcoal-burning is the second major cause of suicide death in Taiwan. Predicting the variable damage and sequelae in this suicide mode is difficult due to the rapid combination of carbon monoxide with red blood cells. Delayed neuropsychological sequelae (DNS) may result in significantly extended recovery times, causing additional stress to the family. Nurses may help increase family understanding and support and guide family members to more positive intra-family interactions, shared perspectives on the recovery process, and resource seeking behavior by depicting subsequent family life and helping the entire family develop coping strategies those allow all members to effect cognitive, emotional and behavioral change. This result may help families of attempted suicide individuals recover successfully.