Effect of applying nursing-based cognitive defusion techniques on mindful awareness, cognitive fusion, and believability of delusions among clients with schizophrenia: a randomized control trial.

Background: Applying cognitive defusion techniques to enduring psychotic symptoms, such as delusions, presents both a challenge and a promising opportunity for psychiatric nurses to manage delusions among schizophrenia clients. Objective: This study aimed to examine the impact of cognitive defusion techniques on psychological flexibility, mindful awareness, cognitive fusion, and the believability of delusions in schizophrenia clients. Methodology: This study used a single-blind, parallel-arm Randomized Controlled Trial design. Over five weeks, 70 clients with schizophrenia were randomized to either the cognitive defusion intervention group (n = 35) or the control group (n = 35). Findings: The participants showed significant reductions in the believability of delusions, cognitive fusion, and psychological inflexibility immediately after the intervention and at follow-up. Notable enhancements were observed in cognitive defusion and mindfulness awareness abilities. Conclusion: Cognitive defusion techniques positively affect schizophrenia clients who struggle with persistent delusional beliefs. This underscores the importance of further investigating this approach to decrease the intensity of delusions as part of a comprehensive therapeutic intervention. Psychiatric nurses must receive training in "cognitive defusion skills" to aid schizophrenia clients in becoming more aware of their emotions and modifying their coping strategies for delusional beliefs. On August 3, 2023, the research was retrospectively registered under the reference number NCT05759091 as a randomized clinical trial. Clinical trial registration: https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05759091, identifier NCT05759091.

The power of laughter: a study on humor and creativity in undergraduate nursing education in Egypt.

BACKGROUND: Creativity in nursing education is crucial for developing practical problem-solving skills, and humor is a valuable tool for stress management and fostering a positive learning environment. This study explored the relationship between creativity and humor among nursing students. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 265 convenient undergraduate nursing students aged 20 to 25. The Short Scale of Creative Self (SSCS) and the Multidimensional Sense of Humor Scale (MSHS) were used to measure creativity and various aspects of humor. RESULTS: Showed a significant positive correlation between humor and creativity (r = 0.238, p < 0.001). Positive correlations were found between Humor Production, Coping or Adaptive Humor, and Appreciation of Humor with creativity (r = 0.254, 0.230, and 0.461, p < 0.001, respectively). In contrast, Attitudes Toward Humor and Humorous People were negatively correlated with creativity (r=-0.343, p < 0.05). Humor accounted for 16.2% of the variance in creativity. CONCLUSION: The study concluded a strong link between humor and creativity, with positive correlations observed between creative self-efficacy and creative personal identity with different aspects of humor. The study recommends the incorporation of humor into nursing education and healthcare settings to encourage creative problem-solving and reduce burnout among students and staff.

A closer look: obsessive-compulsive symptoms among intern nurses amidst COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The distinctive circumstances and socio-cultural context in Egypt make it crucial to explore the psychological well-being of intern nurses amid the COVID-19 pandemic, with a specific focus on obsessive-compulsive symptoms. This study aimed to investigate the influence of fear of COVID-19 on obsessive-compulsive symptoms among intern nurses. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey involving 375 randomly recruited intern nurses was conducted. Data collected included the Fear of COVID-19 Scale and the Short Version of the Arabic Obsessive-Compulsive Scale. RESULTS: A significant relationship was found between the fear of COVID-19 and the severity of obsessive-compulsive symptoms among the participants (r = 0.472, p = 0.000). A stepwise regression analysis indicated that the fear of COVID-19, living in urban regions, frequency of COVID-19 infection, and increased number of infected family members may contribute to the severity of Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms with adjusted R2 value = 27.5%. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic has had significant psychological impacts on newly qualified nurses during their internship training period, including the manifestation of mental health symptoms such as Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms. It was observed that urban residents, intern nurses with recurrent COVID-19 infections, and those with more infected family members exhibited a higher severity of OCS. These findings underscore the need for further research to investigate additional factors that may influence OCS severity.

Cluttered spaces, strained bonds: Examining the correlation between hoarding symptoms and social functioning among long-term care facilities older adult residents.

BACKGROUND: Symptoms of hoarding, such as the inability to part with possessions, leading to significant clutter, are commonly observed among residents in long-term care facilities in Egypt. This behavior significantly impacts their social interactions and functioning. Therefore, this study examined the relationship between hoarding symptoms and social functioning among older adult residents in long-term care facilities. METHODS: The study employed a cross-sectional survey on a purposive sample of 300 older adults. TOOLS: Saving Inventory-Revised and Functional Idiographic Assessment Template-Questionnaire-Short Form were used. RESULTS: The findings revealed a significant positive correlation between hoarding symptoms and social functioning (r = 0.682, p < 0.000). A linear regression analysis supported this correlation, establishing hoarding symptoms as a significant predictor of social functioning (adjusted R2 = 0.32). CONCLUSION: The current study highlighted that a significant proportion of long-term care older adult residents displayed moderate hoarding symptoms and compromised social functioning. A noticeable positive association was observed between hoarding symptoms and social functioning. These results underscore the potential impact of hoarding symptoms on various aspects of social functioning. Given these findings, long-term care nurses should comprehend the various facets of compulsive hoarding behavior and devise effective strategies for assessment and intervention. Establishing support groups within these facilities could provide a platform for these residents to share their experiences and coping strategies. This could reduce interpersonal conflicts and argumentativeness and foster emotional expression and intimacy.

Hooked on technology: examining the co-occurrence of nomophobia and impulsive sensation seeking among nursing students.

BACKGROUND: Nomophobia, the crippling fear of being disconnected from mobile devices, is a burgeoning global concern. Given the critical nature of the profession of nursing students, understanding nomophobia's prevalence and potential impacts on patient care and professional conductors becomes even more crucial. AIM: This study explores the relationship between nomophobia and impulsive sensation-seeking among nursing students in Egypt. DESIGN AND METHODS: A multicenter cross-sectional survey was conducted with 1626 nursing students randomly selected from three universities across Egypt. TOOLS: The Arabic versions of the Nomophobia and Impulsive Sensation Seeking Questionnaires were employed to gather data. RESULTS: Our findings revealed that 40.3% of the surveyed nursing students exhibited severe nomophobia, indicating a substantial dependence on their mobile devices. Notably, this high prevalence was accompanied by a strong tendency towards impulsive sensation-seeking behaviors. Furthermore, a stepwise regression analysis identified several significant predictors of nomophobia (p < 0.001). Impulsive sensation-seeking, year of study, average daily smartphone usage, and age emerged as key factors, explaining 27.5% of the variability in nomophobia scores. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of nomophobia among Egyptian nursing students is undeniable, highlighting their substantial reliance on mobile devices. A significant association with impulsive sensation-seeking behavior further compounds this dependence. Factors such as impulsive sensation seeking, year of study, average daily smartphone usage, and age were identified as significant predictors of nomophobia. Recognizing these factors as key predictors of nomophobia is crucial for designing effective interventions and psychotherapies. Prioritizing such interventions can promote future nurses' well-being and ensure they deliver the highest quality care to their patients.

Understanding the relationship of academic motivation and social support in graduate nursing education in Egypt.

BACKGROUND: Obtaining a postgraduate nursing education in Egypt requires substantial resources, including a robust academic drive and supportive relationships. These resources help students overcome challenges and navigate their educational journey. This study examines the relationship between academic motivation and social support among nursing graduate students. DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey was conducted at two nursing colleges in Egypt, involving 410 randomly selected graduate students. MEASURES: The Academic Motivation Scale-College Version (AMS-C 28) and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) were used. FINDINGS: Findings revealed a statistically significant positive relationship between academic motivation and perceived social support (r = 0.515, p < 0.001). Hierarchical regression analysis revealed that 12.9% (Adjusted R² = 0.129) of the variance in academic motivation could be explained by perceived social support and level of education. CONCLUSION: This study pinpointed intrinsic motivation as the primary impetus for graduate nursing students. Robust social support and active participation in social and recreational activities were also significant motivators. Nursing education programs can enhance intrinsic motivation by integrating authentic learning experiences, providing empowering mentorship, offering condensed doctoral programs, and ensuring substantial peer support. The exploration of the role of novelty in graduate nursing education, facilitated by innovative teaching methods such as collaborative virtual reality simulations, gamification, and team-based research projects, can be advantageous. Building robust social networks is vital for establishing a supportive and motivating learning environment for nursing graduates in Egypt.

Efficacy of acceptance and commitment therapy on impulsivity and suicidality among clients with bipolar disorders: a randomized control trial.

BACKGROUND: Among people with bipolar disorders, there are high rates of impulsivity and suicide attempts. Efforts to reduce suicide are hindered by the lack of conclusive evidence on interventional programs for those at risk. Thus, this work evaluated the efficacy of acceptance and commitment therapy on impulsivity and suicidality among bipolar clients. METHODS: In a randomized controlled trial, 30 eligible clients with bipolar disorders were given Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and 30 eligible clients for the control group were chosen randomly at a 1:1 ratio using Research Randomizer version 4.0. Clients completed the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire II, the Short Arabic Version of the Impulsivity Behavior Scale, and the Arabic Version of the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation. RESULTS: It can be observed that there was a statistically significant decrement in the mean scores of psychological inflexibility among the study group between baseline value (T0), posttest measurement (T1), and post-two-month follow-up (T2), from 32.91 SD (6.03) to 23.06 SD (6.22) post and 26.83 SD (3.49) post-two months, with an effect size of 0.846 (P < 0.001), compared to the control group, which revealed an increase in the mean score. The overall impulsivity among the study group between T0, T1, and T2 was 61.27 SD (4.57) to 46.83 SD (4.47) post- and 43.0 SD (5.30) post-two months, with an effect size of 0.906 (P < 0.001). Compared to the control group, which revealed a relative increase in the mean impulsivity score at the post- and post-two-month intervals, the Arabic Versions of the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation Scale mean score before the intervention was 16.33 SD (6.08), then the post was 7.23 SD (4.72), and the post-two-month mean was 10.13 SD (5.49) with an effect size of 0.878 (P < 0.001) among the study group. On the other hand, mean scores of "suicide ideation" among clients in the control group increased posttest and nearly returned to the same value after two months. CONCLUSION: For bipolar clients suffering from suicidal thoughts and impulsive behaviors, acceptance and commitment therapy, an emerging third-wave behavior therapy, is an effective intervention. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was registered retrospectively with reference number NCT05693389 on 23/1/2023, available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05693389 .

Impact of virtual group-based acceptance and commitment therapy on social adjustment and work-family conflict among intern nurses: a randomized control trial.

BACKGROUND: An action-oriented approach such as acceptance and commitment therapy may help reduce the fusion of conflicting ideas, empower new intern nurses to act according to their values, and maximize their psychological flexibility. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of a virtual group-based acceptance and commitment therapy intervention on intern nurses' social adjustment and work-family conflict. DESIGN: A parallel, single-blind randomized control trial on intern nurses (n = 70) was randomly allocated to either a six-session online acceptance or commitment therapy intervention (n = 35) or a waiting list control group (n = 35), with each session lasting 90 min. MEASURES: The work-related acceptance and action questionnaire, the social adjustment scale-self report, and the work-family conflict scale before, after, and one month after the intervention. RESULTS: The psychological flexibility mean score of the study group was significantly higher than that of the control group (43.11 vs. 34.15, p < .001) immediately after the intervention, and this effect was sustained one month after the intervention (41.88 vs. 33.21, p < .001) with a more significant effect size (F = 128.457, p < .001, η2 = 0.791). The social adjustment mean score of the study group had significantly improved in all four subscales, with statistically significant differences (p < .001). One month after the intervention, the study group had significantly higher scores than the control group in total score, with statistically significant differences (p < .001) and large effect sizes (η2 = 0.932). Work-family conflict mean score of the study group was decreased immediately after the intervention, with statistically significant differences (p < .001). One month after the intervention, the study group had significantly lower scores than the control group in all three subscales of the WFCS, with statistically significant differences (p < .001) and large effect sizes (η2 = 0.943). CONCLUSION: Our findings proved that the virtual group-based ACT intervention effectively improved psychological flexibility and social adjustment, reducing work-family conflict among intern nurses. These findings suggest that the virtual group-based ACT intervention can be a practical approach to improving intern nurses' mental health and well-being, which could affect their job performance and overall quality of life. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was registered retrospectively as a randomized clinical trial on 10/2/2023, reference number; NCT05721339 .