The relationship between social skills and early resignation in Japanese novice nurses.

AIM: The aim of this study was to reveal the relationship between social skills and early resignation in Japanese novice nurses. BACKGROUND: The early resignation of novice nurses has become increasingly prevalent in recent years. This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between the personal sociality of novice nurses and their early resignation. METHODS: We surveyed 272 nurses with 1-3 years of experience. Instances of early resignation were studied by using a questionnaire, and their social skills were measured using Kikuchi's Scale of Social Skills:18 items (KiSS-18), a tool developed by Kikuchi to estimate sociality. RESULTS: Nurses with low sociality were more likely to resign than those with higher sociality. The lack of advanced social skills was closely associated with a higher likelihood of early resignation. CONCLUSION: The presence of advanced social skills appeared to potentially prevent resignation among novice nurses. Further investigation is needed to determine the causal relationship between sociality and early resignation. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Social skills training for novice nurses may be of benefit in preventing early resignation.

Effect of regular gum chewing on levels of anxiety, mood, and fatigue in healthy young adults.

INTRODUCTION: The effect of regular gum chewing on psychological status is unknown. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of gum chewing for fourteen days on psychological status and physical and mental fatigue in healthy young adults. METHODS: We assigned 50 volunteers randomly to an intervention group (n = 26) and a control group (n = 24). Participants in the intervention group were requested to chew the gum twice per a day for fourteen days. The volunteers were required to complete a questionnaire related to lifestyle for baseline assessment. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), the Profile of Mood State (POMS), the World Health Organization Quality of Life 26, and assessment of physical and mental fatigue by visual analog scale were used at baseline, 2 weeks (after intervention), and 4 weeks (follow-up). RESULTS: At 2 weeks, the score of state anxiety was significantly lower in the intervention group than the control group. The intervention participants' scores of depression-dejection, fatigue and confusion in POMS were better than the control group scores. Mental fatigue were also relieved after the intervention. At 4 weeks, there were no significant differences between both groups. CONCLUSION: Fourteen days' gum chewing may improve the levels of anxiety, mood and fatigue.

Effect of a home-based simple yoga program in child-care workers: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the effect of a brief, simple, home-based yoga program on body pain and health status in child-care workers. DESIGN: This was a randomized, controlled trial comparing a home-based yoga group and a control group. PARTICIPANTS: The trial comprised 98 healthy female nursery school and kindergarten teachers. INTERVENTIONS: A DVD of a simple home-based yoga program was provided for a period of 2 weeks. OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome measure was the reported change in body pain at 2 weeks (after intervention) and 4 weeks (follow-up). The secondary outcome measure was the 30-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ30) score and physical function. RESULTS: The 67 yoga group participants reported improved menstrual pain at 4 weeks; menstrual pain was reduced from 57.0 ± 27.8 to 37.8 ± 26.7 in the yoga group, versus 52.4 ± 36.5 to 46.9 ± 32.1 in the control group (change from baseline in the yoga group versus change from baseline in the control group, -15.3 points; p=0.044). The total GHQ30 score and the GHQ subscale scores ("sleep disturbance" and "anxiety and dysphoria") improved significantly at 4 weeks in the yoga group, but not in the control group. In the good-adherence group, low back pain improved during the intervention (p=0.006) and follow-up (p=0.001) periods. Menstrual pain was also improved (p=0.044). No adverse events were observed. CONCLUSIONS: A home-based simple yoga program may improve the health status of child-care workers.