Factors influencing stigma among college students with COVID-19 in South Korea: a descriptive study.

PURPOSE: This study is descriptive research aiming to identify factors influencing the stigma experienced by college students with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), focusing on COVID-19 pandemic stress, depression, and fear of negative evaluation as the main variables. METHODS: An online survey was administered to 175 college students who had been diagnosed with COVID-19 from January to May 2022 and were enrolled in universities in Seoul, Cheongju, and Daegu, South Korea. The survey collected data on pandemic stress, depression, fear of negative evaluation, and stigma. The data were analyzed using the t-test, ANOVA, the Scheffé test, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and stepwise multiple regression in SPSS/WIN 26.0. RESULTS: We analyzed differences in stigma scores based on general characteristics of the college students and found significant differences in stigma scores by age, major satisfaction, interpersonal satisfaction, date of COVID-19 confirmation, treatment modality, and recent subjective health condition. Factors influencing stigmatization were identified as COVID-19 pandemic stress, depression, date of COVID-19 confirmation, treatment modality, recent subjective health condition, and major satisfaction, with an overall explanatory power of 37.6%. CONCLUSION: This study is significant as it identifies emotional changes across various aspects of pandemic stress, depression, fear of negative evaluation, and stigma among college students who have been diagnosed with COVID-19. The findings of this study suggest the development of programs to reduce psychological distress and enhance mental health management skills among these students.

Experiences of Caring for Cohort-Isolated Patients among Nurses in Locked Psychiatric Units.

The aim of this study was to gain an understanding of the experiences of caring for cohorts of patients isolated due to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) among nurses in locked psychiatric units. A phenomenological approach was used to analyze data collected from 10 nurses with a minimum of one year of experience as a mental health nurse working in locked psychiatric units that were cohort-isolated due to COVID-19. Data collected using semi-structured one-to-one in-depth interviews were analyzed based on steps outlined by Colaizzi. Five themes and thirteen subthemes emerged. The five themes were as follows: "Challenges intensified by the nature of mental disorders", "Concerns regarding limited mental health care", "Escalating stress", "Bolstered identity as a mental health nurse", "Witnessing changes that have begun". Environmental and institutional measures need to be implemented to identify the potential phenomena that may affect locked psychiatric units during an infectious disease epidemic and ensure the safety of health care professionals and patients from the infectious disease.

Development and evaluation of case video-based debriefing on a simulation of high-risk neonatal care for nursing students in South Korea: a mixed-methods study.

BACKGROUND: The debriefing process after health care simulations should provide a psychologically safe learning environment for nursing students. Case video-based debriefing on a simulation of high-risk neonatal care can help nursing students feel psychologically safe and make learning more effective. In this study, we developed case video-based debriefing materials for a simulation of high-risk neonatal care for nursing students in South Korea and evaluated their effects. METHODS: This mixed-methods study, consisting of a survey and an in-depth interview, was conducted between August and December 2022. The participants were 27 nursing students for the development of the case video-based debriefing and 51 nursing students for the evaluation of its effects (25 in the experimental group and 26 in the control group) at a university in South Korea. A case video-based debriefing on a simulation of high-risk neonatal care was developed, and the experimental group took part in case video-based debriefing. The participants' self-efficacy, critical thinking, state anxiety, and satisfaction with practice were examined. The experimental group's learning experiences were explored. Quantitative data were analyzed using the chi-square test, the unpaired t-test, and repeated-measures analysis of variance. Qualitative content analysis was conducted. RESULTS: In the experimental group, critical thinking and satisfaction with practice increased to a greater extent than in the control group. However, the changes in self-efficacy and state anxiety were not significantly different between the experimental and control groups. Four categories were extracted from nursing students who participated in the case video-based debriefing: "learning facilitated by the simulation," "expanded learning," "safe learning environment," and "efficient utilization of case videos." CONCLUSIONS: Case video-based debriefing on a simulation of high-risk neonatal care effectively enhanced nursing students' critical thinking and satisfaction with practice, and it will be utilized to improve nursing students' competency in high-risk neonatal care.

Nursing students' learning commitment, self-efficacy and grit during the COVID 19 pandemic: Quantitative empirical research on adaptation to college life.

AIMS: To examine the learning commitment, self-efficacy, grit and adaptation to college life among Korean nursing students, under the prolonged COVID-19 situation, and identify the factors that affect their adaptation to college life. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. METHODS: The participants were 247 nursing students. The instruments used in the study were the Learning Commitment Scale for Adults, Self-Efficacy Scale, Grit Scale and Campus Life Adaptation Scale (developed for Korean nursing students). A multiple linear regression analysis was conducted using SPSS 23.0. RESULTS: Adaptation to college life had significant positive correlations with learning commitment, self-efficacy and grit. Moreover, self-efficacy and learning commitment were key correlators for adapting to college life.

Factors Affecting Cultural Competence in a Sample of Nursing Students during the Prolonged COVID-19 Pandemic in Republic of Korea: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Globally, foreign citizens, particularly ethnic and racial minorities, experienced discrimination and received imbalanced medical services and insufficient economic resources during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to examine the factors that affect the cultural competence of nursing students. This is descriptive cross-sectional study adheres to Strengthening the Reporting of Observational studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines. A convenience sample of 235 nursing students from two nursing colleges in D city completed an online Google Forms questionnaire from 9 August to 12 August 2022. The self-report questionnaire included a sociodemographic data form, a cultural intelligence scale, an ethnocentrism scale, a global competence scale, and a cultural competence scale. The mean score of cultural competence was 95.39 ± 15.64 (out of 135 points); cultural competence was significantly positively correlated with cultural intelligence and global competence (p < 0.001), and significantly negatively correlated with ethnocentrism (p < 0.001). The factors that significantly affected cultural competence were cultural intelligence (ß = 0.31, p < 0.001) and global competence (ß = 0.37, p < 0.001). The explanatory power of these effects was 47.3%. To improve the cultural competence of nursing students, it is necessary to develop, apply, and evaluate the results of curriculum and programs that can enhance the cultural intelligence and global competence of nursing students.

Peer tutoring experiences of neonatal nursing simulations among Korean nursing students: a qualitative study.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to explore nursing students' experiences of neonatal nursing simulations using peer tutoring. METHODS: In this qualitative content analysis study, data were collected using a narrative survey and focus group interviews with 27 third-year nursing students and six fourth-year nursing students from April to May 2022. Content analysis of the collected data was conducted. RESULTS: Four categories-"stabilizing emotionally through each other", "advancing together", "difficulties in relationships", and "hoping to continue"-and nine sub-categories were extracted. The sub-categories "reduced burden" and "gaining confidence" were grouped into the first category, "stabilizing emotionally through each other". The sub-categories "being motivated to learn," "increased learning ability", and "preparation as a process" were grouped under "advancing together", and "attitudes affecting study environment" and "depending on help" were grouped into the third category of "difficulties in relationships". The fourth category of "hoping to continue" had "wanting to supplement for development" and "wanting to participate in different roles" as sub-categories. CONCLUSION: Based on the results of this study, we expect pediatric nursing practicum education to improve through the active use of neonatal nursing simulation education incorporating peer tutoring.

Clinical Field and Alternative Clinical Practice Experience in a Pandemic Situation of Nursing Students Who Have Experienced Clinical Practice before COVID-19.

This study aimed to understand the experiences of nursing students who experienced clinical practice before the outbreak of COVID-19 on clinical field practice and alternative clinical practice adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic. A phenomenological study was conducted on 14 graduates who experienced clinical field practice and alternative clinical practice during a pandemic. Data were collected using individual in-depth interviews that were semi-structured. Data were analyzed according to Colaizzi's procedure. As a result of data analysis, five themes and 17 sub-themes were selected. The five themes were: alienation during the process of clinical practice change, regret caused by alternative clinical practice, alternative clinical practice as a supplementary measure, difficulties due to COVID-19, non-replaceable clinical field practice. It is necessary to consider using alternative clinical practices to complement the clinical setting and improve the quality of clinical practice in the post-corona era. To this end, it is necessary to supplement the disadvantages of alternative clinical practice, such as reduced concentration and lack of sense of presence, by applying integrated education using Edutech.

Animal-Assisted Therapy as an Intervention for Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis to Guide Evidence-Based Practice.

BACKGROUND: Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) can ameliorate diverse health problems in older adults. However, applications of AAT have been limited because of the lack of intervention guidelines for older adults. AIMS: This study aimed to explore applications of AAT to older adults, analyze its health effects, and provide evidence for future interventions. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses checklist. Data were analyzed based on both a narrative synthesis and a meta-analysis specifically for depression. RESULTS: A total of 47 studies were selected for analysis. About 45% focused on older adults with diseases such as dementia, and 57.4% selected dog(s) as an intervention animal. About 34.0% delivered interventions once a week, and the behavioral outcome domain was the most frequently investigated. The meta-analysis showed that the effect sizes of the AAT group were -1.310 (95% CI [-1.900, -.721]). LINKING EVIDENCE TO ACTION: This review provides evidence for AAT as an intervention in the physiological, psychosocial, cognitive, and behavioral domains of older adults. When planning interventions for older adults, nurses should consider intended health outcomes, appropriate therapeutic animals, and the consequent intervention contents.

Difficulty in returning to school among adolescent leukemia survivors: A qualitative descriptive study.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to investigate the difficulties experienced by adolescent leukemia survivors upon their return to school using qualitative study methods. METHODS: Study participants include 14 adolescents who visited a hospital for follow-up care following treatment for leukemia at a university hospital in Seoul. We investigated difficulties in returning to school using in-depth interviews. Using a semi-structured questionnaire, the researchers investigated "difficulties after termination of leukemia treatment," "difficulties in school life," "difficulties in relationships with family," and "causes of stress." RESULTS: Through interviews, we identified five categories of difficulties among adolescent leukemia survivors including "feelings of alienation from friends," "difficulty in studying," "Stuck being different from others", "apologetic feelings for family," and "feelings of having an uncertain future." CONCLUSION: Most adolescent leukemia survivors in the study sample complained about difficulties in friendships and academic difficulties. Changes in appearance following treatment and the focus of others on their appearance following treatment hurt their feelings, and they felt apologetic toward members of their families. Worries about incomplete recovery following treatment and the fear of recurrence tended to interfere with the feelings of adolescent leukemia survivors about their future.

Returning to Social Life: Development of Social Identity for Adolescent and Young Adult Survivors of Leukemia in Korea.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to investigate the life experiences and processes that occur as adolescent and young adult leukemia survivors return to social life using grounded theory. METHOD: This study comprised 14 adolescents and young adults who visited a hospital for follow-up care after treatment of leukemia. We used in-depth interviews to examine the participants' experiences in returning to social life. The semistructured questionnaire examined "good and bad experiences in returning to social life," "sources of happiness and stress," and "strategies for managing stressful events." RESULTS: We extracted 6 categories and 21 concepts from the interviews. We grouped the 6 categories into a core category and three phases: "catching up with others," "discovering myself," and "planning my future." A core category shown through all phases was "fear of recurrence." The "catching up with others" phase included themes of "feeling different from others" and "wanting to be like others." The "discovering myself" phase included "completing one thing at a time" and "recognizing myself as special." The "planning my future" phase included "looking for things I can do." CONCLUSIONS: Self-esteem was an important issue for adolescent leukemia survivors; negative illness perception affected self-esteem in both adolescents and young adults. It is important for health care providers to develop programs to help adolescent and young adult leukemia survivors to perceive their disease experiences more positively and to take part in social life, including school life.