The association of domestic violence during pregnancy with maternal psychological well-being in the early postpartum period: A sample from women with low socioeconomic status in Eastern Turkey.

AIM: To examine the association of women's exposure to domestic violence during pregnancy with postpartum maternal psychological well-being (postpartum depression and anxiety) in the early postpartum period. METHODS: The sample of this descriptive correlational research study comprised 358 women. Data were collected using the Personal Information Form, the Domestic Violence Screening Tool, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, and the Postpartum Specific Anxiety Scale. The one-way multivariate analysis of variance, and a multivariate linear regression analysis was performed to analysis of data. RESULTS: The mean scores of the HITS, the EPDS, and the PSAS were 6.00±16.00, 7.47±5.57, and 72.02±18.63 respectively. Considering the cut-off values of the scales, the women were found to be at risk for exposure to domestic violence (20.1%), postpartum depression (24%), and postpartum anxiety (11.2%). Education level and having social security was significantly associated with women's HITS and PSAS score.Women with high mean domestic violence scores had high mean postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety scores. Women's mean domestic violence and postpartum anxiety scores were significantly and positively associated with their mean postpartum depression scores (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The results of this study revealed that women were frequently exposed to DV during pregnancy, education level and social security were important predictors of exposure to DV, and that DV associated with postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety. Exposure to DV and postpartum anxiety increased the risk of postpartum depression. It is recommended to integrate screening, guidance, and supportive counseling practices into routine antenatal care to improve the mental health of pregnant women at risk.

The Effect of Psychoeducation Based on Leventhal's Self-Regulation Model on Dysmenorrhoea in Nursing Students: A Single-Blind Randomised Controlled Study.

BACKGROUND: The use of self-analgesics among women for dysmenorrhoea is common. Non-pharmacological methods can be employed to effectively cope with dysmenorrhoea. Psychoeducation based on Leventhal's Self-Regulation Model (SRM) is an affordable, easy, and non-pharmacological way that clinics can use to cope with dysmenorrhoea. METHOD: This study aimed to investigate how psychoeducation affected dysmenorrhoea for nursing students using SRM. The sample consisted of 66 female students suffering from moderate-to-severe menstrual pain. A three-session psychoeducation based on SRM was applied to the intervention group. An 'Introductory Information Form', 'Visual Analogue Scale', 'Functional and Emotional Measure of Dysmenorrhoea (FEMD)', and 'Menstrual Symptom Questionnaire (MSQ)' were used to collect the data. All the measurements were carried out over three consecutive menstrual cycles. RESULTS: A generalised linear model was used to analyse the data. After receiving psychoeducation, the pain and functional and emotional symptoms of dysmenorrhoea mean scores significantly decreased in the intervention group compared to the control group (p < .05), whereas there was no significant difference between the groups' MSQ mean scores (p > .05). CONCLUSION: The psychoeducation reduced the severity of dysmenorrhoea pain and the functional and emotional impact levels of dysmenorrhoea and it was proved to be effective at helping the subjects cope with pain in the long term.

Randomized Controlled Trial of a Mobile Health Application Based on Roy's Adaptation Model on Postpartum Adaptation.

BACKGROUND: Mobile apps are used worldwide in nursing care, including during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a mobile health application developed for pregnant women according to the Roy adaptation model on postpartum adaptation. METHODS: This was a single-center, two-arm parallel-group randomized controlled trial. The study was conducted from March 2021 to August 2021. A mobile application was developed and offered to women in the experimental group from the 32nd-34th gestational weeks to the sixth week postpartum. The Postpartum Self-Evaluation Questionnaire was administered to both experimental and control groups on the 10th day postpartum and in the sixth week postpartum. The generalized linear mixed-effects model and the least significant difference test were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: The study sample consisted of 62 pregnant women. The mean scores from the total Postpartum Self-Evaluation Questionnaire and the subscales decreased statistically significantly in the 10th day postpartum and the sixth week postpartum in the experimental group compared to the control group ( p < .05). The mean scores from the confidence in the ability to cope with tasks of motherhood and satisfaction with motherhood and infant care subscales indicated a statistically significant difference in group-time interaction. DISCUSSION: The results indicated that the mobile health application increased postpartum adaptation in women and effectively maintained adaptation until the sixth week postpartum. Use of mobile health applications may help provide practical, accessible, and quality prenatal and postpartum care.

The Effect of Holistic Birth Support Strategies on Coping With Labor Pain, Birth Satisfaction, and Fear of Childbirth: A Randomized, Triple-Blind, Controlled Trial.

The current study was aimed to evaluate the effects of interventions conducted in line with the coping with labor pain algorithm (holistic birth support strategies) on women's coping with labor pain, birth satisfaction, and fear of childbirth. The study is a single-center, parallel-group randomized, three-blind, controlled trial. The study was completed with 33 women in the experimental group and 31 in the control group. The mean score of the women in the experimental group from the Birth Satisfaction Scale (128.57 ± 5.83) was statistically significantly higher than that of the women in the control group (81.80 ± 7.73). The mean score of the women in the experimental group (61.96 ± 9.78) from the Wijma Birth Expectation/Experience Scale, Version B scale was statistically significantly lower than that of the women in the control group (148.64 ± 14.62). It was found that the women in the experimental group were able to better cope with labor pain, had higher birth satisfaction, and had less fear of childbirth.

Use of Mobile Applications by Pregnant Women and Levels of Pregnancy Distress During the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: Pregnancy and postpartum periods require continuity in care and counseling. During the pandemic process, telemedicine and telenursing applications have been used to meet the need for healthcare throughout the world, and skills in this area have been developed. This study aimed to identify the use of mobile applications by pregnant women in receiving health information, counseling, and healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic and their distress levels during pregnancy. METHODS: This research was a descriptive cross-sectional study. The study was designed as an online survey administered between August 2020 and November 2020 via a questionnaire and the Tilburg Pregnancy Distress Scale (TPDS). A total of 376 women agreed to participate in the study. Women were included if they were literate, had a gestational age of ≥ 12th weeks, and accommodated within the Republic of Turkey's boundaries. RESULTS: A total of 77.9% of participants reported using pregnancy-related mobile applications during the pandemic. The mean total Tilburg Pregnancy Distress Scale score was 24.09, and 37.2% of the participants were found to be at risk for high distress according to the cut-off point. There was a significant difference between the change in receiving health services and the anxiety about coronavirus transmission and the Tilburg Pregnancy Distress Scale total score. (p ≤ 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study helped understand the pandemic's impact on pregnancy distress and usage of mobile health applications by pregnant women during the pandemic. Also, our results indicate that a decrease in pregnant women receiving health services during this period. Mobile health applications appear to be usable for prenatal follow-ups because mobile applications are common among pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nurses' exposure to violence and their professional commitment during the COVID-19 pandemic.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the relationship between nurses' exposure to violence and their professional commitment during the COVID-19 pandemic. BACKGROUND: Violence against nurses is a common problem that persists worldwide. DESIGN: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. METHODS: An online questionnaire form and the Nursing Professional Commitment Scale were used to collect the data. The study was carried out online during the COVID-19 pandemic between October-December 2020. A total of 263 nurses agreed to participate in the study. The STROBE checklist was followed for observational studies. RESULTS: During the COVID-19 pandemic, 8.4% of the nurses stated that they were exposed to physical violence, 57.8% to verbal violence, 0.8% to sexual violence and 61.6% to mobbing. 52.1% of the nurses stated that they thought of quitting the profession during the COVID-19 pandemic. The mean total Nursing Professional Commitment Scale score was 71.33 ± 15.05. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that nurses' exposure to physical, verbal and sexual violence during the COVID-19 pandemic decreased compared to before the pandemic. Nurses' exposure to mobbing during the pandemic was found to increase. A statistically significant difference was found between the status of the nurses' exposure to physical violence, verbal violence, and mobbing, working hours, number of patients given care, and their thoughts of quitting the profession. It was found that the status of exposure to physical violence, thinking of quitting the profession and working hours decreased professional commitment. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: In the light of these results, it is recommended that measures to prevent violence should be addressed in a multifaceted way. In managing the pandemic process, the decisions and practices should not be left to the managers' initiative to prevent mobbing. Initiatives that will increase nurses' professional commitment during the pandemic process should be planned and implemented.

Effect of progressive muscle relaxation exercise on clinical stress and burnout in student nurse interns.

PURPOSE: To determine the effects of progressive muscle relaxation exercise (PMRE) on clinical stress and burnout in student nurse interns. DESIGN AND METHODS: This is a randomized controlled trial. Interns were divided into control group (CG; n = 78) or experimental group (EG; n = 67) randomly. PMRE was performed by students in the EG. Personal information form, Burnout Measure Short Version (BMS) and Physio-Psycho-Social Response Scale (PPSRS) for nursing students were administered to both groups in the first and last meeting. FINDINGS: There was a significant difference in posttest scores between groups; EG posttest scores on the BMS, on the PPSRS, and subscales were lower than those of the CG. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: PMRE training ameliorates burnout and PPSRs to stress during clinical practice in nursing students.

Use of mobile applications and blogs by pregnant women in Turkey and the impact on adaptation to pregnancy.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to demonstrate how the use of mobile applications and blogs impacts on a woman's pregnancy. DESIGN: This was a descriptive study. A questionnaire and the Prenatal Self Evaluation Questionnaire (PSEQ) were administered to collect the data. The PSEQ was developed to evaluate a woman's adaptation to pregnancy before labour and contained seven subscales: acceptance of pregnancy, identification of a motherhood role, relationship with her mother, relationship with her husband, preparation for labour, prenatal fear of helplessness and loss of control in labour and concern for the well-being of self and baby. Lower scores indicated a greater level of adaptation to pregnancy. SETTINGS: Data were collected from gynaecology and obstetrics outpatient clinics in a university hospital in Ankara, Turkey. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 230 women agreed to participate in the study. Women were included if they were literate, were 25-40 weeks pregnant, had experienced no complications during pregnancy and did not have a psychiatric illness or disorder. MEASUREMENT AND FINDINGS: A total of 43.1% of women reported using at least one mobile application during pregnancy, and 34.3% reported using at least one pregnancy-related blog. The mean total PSEQ score was 133 (mobile applications users' score: 129; blogs users' score: 130). There were no significant differences between those women using and those not using mobile applications in terms of the total PSEQ score; however, pregnant women using mobile applications had better adaptation levels to pregnancy in terms of their acceptance of pregnancy and relationship with her husband. No significant differences were found between those women using and those not using pregnancy blogs in terms of the total PSEQ score; however, pregnant women using blogs had better adaptation levels to pregnancy in terms of the relationship with her mother. KEY CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that the use of mobile applications and blogs is common among pregnant women. The use of mobile applications and blogs both enhance a woman's adaptation to pregnancy but in different ways. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: In accordance with these results, technology-based training materials (e.g. mobile applications, blogs etc.) should be developed and used in the health education and counselling of pregnant women.