Positive and Negative Correlates of Psychological Well-Being and Distress in College Students' Mental Health: A Correlational Study.

BACKGROUND: Recognizing the positive or negative effects of students' mental health promotes personal development, well-being, and academic success. Academic life exposes college students to multiple adjustments, demands, and vulnerabilities that can cause stress and mental health problems. This study aims to identify psychological well-being and psychological distress effects on college students' mental health. METHODS: A correlational study was designed involving a non-probabilistic 560 sample of students (446 women) aged 18 to 41 years (M = 19.6; SD = 1.68). An online self-report questionnaire was used including demographic, relational, academic, and health behaviors variables, and the measures: Mental Health Inventory; Satisfaction with Social Support Scale; Academic Life Satisfaction Scale; and Psychological Vulnerability Scale. RESULTS: Regression analyses indicate that male students, dating, good academic performance, exercise, sleeping seven hours, satisfaction with social support, and academic life satisfaction were significant correlates (p < 0.05) of psychological well-being, with the last two having great weight in the model. Females, low income, aged 21-24 years, sleeping less than 6 h, moderate psychological vulnerability, and perception of vulnerability were significant (p < 0.05) negative effects of psychological distress. CONCLUSIONS: This study addresses the positive and negative effects of psychological well-being and distress in college students. Specific mental health promotion and morbidity prevention programs can improve students' mental health literacy and resilience.

Development and psychometric properties of the Therapeutic Relationship Assessment Scale-Nurse.

WHAT IS KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT?: The literature shows a clear relationship between a good therapeutic relationship (TR) and the efficacy of nursing interventions. For the implementation of nursing psychotherapeutic interventions, the initial establishment of a good TR is essential. Several instruments assess the relationship established between the therapist and the patient in psychotherapy. However, no tool has been found to assess the quality of the TR established between the nurse and the patient. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS TO EXISTING KNOWLEDGE?: This study allowed the development and evaluation of the psychometric properties of a scale to assess the TR between the nurse and the patient in a sample of mental health nurses. The developed scale (Therapeutic Relationship Assessment Scale-Nurse) has psychometric properties that attest its reliability (internal consistency and test-retest) and construct validity as an instrument to assess the quality of the TR established between the nurse and the patient from the nurse's perspective. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE?: As the TR is crucial for providing nursing care and, in particular, for implementing nursing psychotherapeutic interventions, the scale developed is a valid tool to assess the quality of the TR established between the nurse and the patient in the perspective of the mental health nurse. The use of instruments to assess the quality of the nurse-patient TR facilitates the identification of the relationship's gaps, which can serve as a basis for improving the relationship itself and the nursing care provision. ABSTRACT: Introduction The therapeutic relationship (TR) is essential to providing psychiatric and mental health nursing care. Nevertheless, no assessment tools exclusive for assessing nursing TR were found in the literature. Aim To describe and evaluate the psychometric properties (reliability and construct validity) of a scale that allows assessing the quality of TR established between the nurse and the patient. Method A survey method was adopted, using a convenience sample of 356 mental health nurses. Internal consistency was assessed by Cronbach's alpha and Omega index. Results A total of 221 mental health nurses participated in the study (response rate = 62.08%). The scale's final structure has 25 items. Cronbach's alpha was 0.93, ranging from 0.78 to 0.88 for each of the factors. The cumulative variance explained in a four-factor structure was 71.12%. Discussion The Therapeutic Relationship Assessment Scale (TRAS)-Nurse presents good psychometric properties. In the light of Benner's theory, it can be an useful tool for novice nurses to better understand what aspects they should pay attention to for establishing a successful TR. Implications for Practice Mental health nurses can use the TRAS-Nurse, thus having a scale available that allows them to self-assess the quality of TR they establish with their patients.

Environmental health practice and quality of Nursing care: a protocol for systematic review

OBJECTIVE: To systematically synthesize studies that analyze the relationship between a healthy practice environment and quality of nursing care in hospital settings; to identify the most commonly used instruments to assess nurses' perceptions of a healthy practice environment; to identify the most commonly used instruments to assess nurses' perceptions of quality of nursing care. METHOD: A systematic literature review will follow the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). The literature search will be conducted in the principal databases. Review of international scientific articles published in the last ten years, accessed through the database of the Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, on nurses' perceptions of the influence of the environment on healthy nursing practice and quality of care. Inclusion: Articles published after 2012 in Portuguese, Spanish, and English. The identified, selected and included studies will be highlighted for the selection process using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses Protocols (PRISMA-P). If possible, quantitative data will be pooled into a meta-analysis using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Meta-Analysis of Statistics Assessment and Review Instrument (MASTARI).

Evaluation of the Psychometric Properties of the Mental Vulnerability Questionnaire in Undergraduate Students.

PURPOSE: Translate, adapt the language, and assess the psychometric properties of the Mental Vulnerability Questionnaire (MVQ) in a Portuguese population sample of young adults. DESIGN AND METHODS: A psychometric validation study was performed. The sample comprised 166 undergraduate students. Factor analysis was applied to extract three indicators. FINDINGS: The MVQ showed divergent validity with the Positive Mental Health Questionnaire (p < .001) and convergent validity with the Mental Health Inventory including five items (p < .001). Reliability was verified through the assessment of internal consistency, evidencing positive outcomes (Cronbach's α = 0.81). PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The MVQ shows psychometric properties enabling its adaptation to clinical practice and research, essential to an effective screening of mental vulnerability.