Exposure to secondary traumatic stress and its related factors among emergency nurses in Saudi Arabia: a mixed method study.

BACKGROUND: Emergency department (ED) nurses are exposed to the risk of secondary traumatic stress (STS), which poses a threat not only to nurses' health and psychological well-being but also adversely affects the execution of their professional duties. The quality and outcome of their nursing services are negatively affected by STS. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to comprehensively investigate the prevalence and intensity of Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS) among Emergency Department (ED) nurses. It aims to identify and analyze the socio-demographic, occupational, and psychological factors that influence the severity and variation of STS experienced by these nurses. METHODS: The study utilized a sequential explanatory mixed methods approach, including two phases. Phase 1 employed a cross-sectional study design, utilizing a convenience sample of 181 nurses to explore the levels of STS and the factors associated with it. Following this, Phase 2 was structured as a qualitative descriptive study, which involved conducting semi-structured interviews with a purposefully selected group of ten ED nurses. Data collection took place at three major hospitals in Saudi Arabia during the period from January to June 2022. RESULTS: A total of 181 participants were included in the study. The mean STSS score reported by the nurses was 51 (SD = 13.23) out of the maximum possible score of 85, indicating severe STS among ED nurses. Factors associated with an increase in the levels of STS among ED nurses included being female, older in age, married, possessing higher education and experience, having a positive relationship with colleagues, receiving organisational support, and dealing with a higher number of trauma cases. Several themes emerged from the qualitative interviews including: ED Characteristics: Dual Impact on STS, Emotional Resonance and Vulnerability, Personal Life Stressors, The Ability to Cope, and Social Support. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Future strategies and interventions targeting STS should be prioritized to effectively manage its impact on ED nurses. It is crucial to develop targeted interventions that address the specific factors contributing to STS, as identified in this study. Additionally, these findings aim to enhance awareness among nursing administrators, managers, and supervisors about the critical factors associated with STS. This awareness is essential for accurately assessing and developing interventions that mitigate STS among nursing staff.

Perceived stress and coping strategies among emergency department nurses and emergency medical services staff during the fifth wave of COVID-19 in Iran: A cross-sectional correlational study.

Background and Purpose: Emergency department (ED) nurses and emergency medical services (EMS) staff as the main parts of care on the front line of treatment during the outbreak of COVID-19 experienced great challenges in their work and life, which caused them a lot of stress. Since limited studies have investigated perceived stress and coping strategies among ED nurses and EMS staff in Iran, this study was conducted to investigate perceived stress and coping strategies among ED nurses and EMS staff during the outbreak of the fifth wave of COVID-19 in Ardabil, Iran. Materials and methods: This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was conducted on 327 ED nurses and EMS staff in 2021. The samples were selected by convenient sampling method, and data were collected by demographic and perceived stressors and coping strategies against the outbreak of COVID-19 questionnaires. Data were analyzed by SPSS (version 22) using descriptive (frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation) and analytical (Pearson correlation, t-test, and ANOVA) statistical tests and multiple linear regression analysis. Results: The most stressful factors were related to the transmission of the disease to the family and seeing the death of COVID-19 patients in front of their eyes. The most commonly used coping strategies were strict personal protective measures for all hospitalized patients and the use of clothes that the hospital prepared separately to reduce the transmission of the virus. The results of multiple linear regression showed employees' emotions (ß = 0.429, p < 0.001), gender (ß = 0.225, p < 0.001), coping strategies (ß = 0.209, p < 0.001), stress-reducing factors (ß = 0.124, p = 0.014), worry (ß = -0.182, p < 0.001), and workplace (ß = -0.149, p = 0.045) were effective predictors of perceived stress. Conclusion: Coping methods such as following strict personal protective measures, using special clothes, and seeing the recovery status of patients and colleagues were effective factors in reducing the perceived stress of health workers. Therefore, it is necessary to provide health workers with training on coping strategies and psychological support in the current crisis and possible epidemics in the future.

Occupational stress and its relationship with spiritual coping among emergency department nurses and emergency medical services staff.

INTRODUCTION: Emergency Department (ED) nurses and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Staff are faced with several stressors daily, such as the COVID 19 pandemic situation, which affects the health and the quality of services to patients. Spiritual coping with stress is an attempt to overcome the stress on the basis of what is transcendent. The use of spiritual coping strategies helps a person to overcome tensions caused by the work environment. OBJECTIVE: The current study aimed to investigate occupational stress and its relationship with spiritual coping among ED nurses and EMS staff. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was descriptive-correlational research. Using convenience sampling methods, 516 ED nurses and EMS staff were enrolled in the study. The study instruments included demographic information, HSE Occupational Stress, and spiritual coping questionnaires. Data were analyzed using SPSSv.22 software and the descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation test, t-test, ANOVA, and multiple linear regression. RESULTS: The highest and lowest levels of occupational stress were the dimensions of "demand" (2.96 ± 0.65) and "role" (3.89 ± 0.81) respectively. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that positive spiritual coping, negative spiritual coping, workplace, service location, type of employment, and work position were important factors affecting the occupational stress of ED nurses and EMS staff, which accounted for 0.34% of the variance. CONCLUSION: The findings showed the need to improve the work environment for ED nurses and EMS staff, including changes in physical working conditions, salaries, and better employment conditions. Training programs are recommended to reduce stress through the use of positive spiritual coping strategies.