Levels and predictors of empathy, self-awareness, and perceived stress among nursing students: a cross sectional study.

BACKGROUND: High levels of empathy and self-awareness and low level of stress among nursing students are the core elements of improving patients' care and outcomes. The purpose of this study is to assess the levels, relationships, and predictors of empathy, self-awareness, and perceived stress in a sample of undergraduate Jordanian nursing students. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed to collect data from 330 students using a web-based survey. RESULTS: The total mean scores of empathy, self-awareness, and perceived stress were 75.75, 40.17, and 55.65, respectively. Students who are studying in public universities, with higher GPA, who have no intention to leave nursing, and who are satisfied with nursing; reported higher level of empathy. Students with lower income level, who have no intention to leave nursing, and who are satisfied with nursing; reported higher level of self-awareness. Female students, those who sleeping 6 h and less, did not get a balanced diet or perform exercise, studying in public universities, lower GPA, have intention to leave nursing, and did not satisfy with nursing; reported higher level of perceived stress. CONCLUSIONS: Nursing students reported adequate empathy level, low self-awareness level, and moderate perceived stress level. Students who are satisfied and have no intention to leave nursing reported higher level of empathy, self-awareness, and perceived stress. It is necessary to conduct interventional programs that enhance students' well-being especially empathy and self-awareness, and reduce the level of their stress.

Scoping review of reminiscence research undertaken in long-term care communities.

Mental health conditions ranging from minor depressive symptoms to major depression, loneliness and poor quality of life are significant concerns in long-term care communities. Reminiscence is one intervention that has shown to reduce depressive symptoms and improve quality of life. The purpose of this scoping review was to determine the extent of reminiscence research undertaken in long-term care communities. Arksley and O'Malley's six stage method provided the framework for the review. Studies published in peer reviewed literature were identified based on searches in three databases (CINAHL, PUBMED, PsycINFO). Thirty-two studies met inclusion criteria. Of the 32 articles examined, 2 studies were conducted in the United States. Twenty-five health outcomes were examined, including twenty-three psychological outcomes and two physiological outcomes. Depression and cognitive functions were the most frequently measured outcomes. Lack of theoretical frameworks underpinning the studies, inadequate sample sizes, and weak methodology were noted in this review. Recommendations for future reminiscence research in long-term care communities are discussed.

Patients Hospitalized for Psychiatric Problems and Their Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Toward COVID-19.

The current study aimed to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) toward coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) of persons hospitalized for psychiatric problems and the correlation between knowledge and demographics. A correlational, cross-sectional study was used to collect data through structured interviews from a convenience sample of 200 patients with psychiatric disorders seeking treatment at a psychiatric hospital using the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices questionnaire. Participants had poor knowledge (51.5%), moderate attitudes (75%), and low to moderate practices (61%) toward COVID-19. Knowledge was different across most demographic and illness-related variables. Global assessment of functioning and educational level predicted knowledge and accounted for 37.5% of the variance. Due to disability and poor self-care, persons hospitalized for psychiatric problems are more vulnerable to infectious diseases than the general population. Mental health nurses need to raise KAP toward COVID-19. Current results are informative to health care policymakers and mental health authorities in helping identify target populations for prevention and education about COVID-19. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 60(8), 37-45.].

Public Awareness of Palliative Care: A Nationally Representative Sample of Jordanian Adults.

CONTEXT: Internationally, studies suggest that inadequate comprehension of the concept of palliative care and misconceptions about it hinder the effective use of palliative care, especially in developing nations. OBJECTIVE: To assess the awareness of the adult population in Jordan regarding palliative care. METHODS: The study used a cross-sectional design and an online self-administered questionnaire survey. The recruitment method was convenience snowball sampling of three thousand nine hundred forty-two Jordanian adults covering 12 governorates. Participants were recruited through social media platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp. The process of gathering data commenced in October -December 2023. Descriptive statistics were computed. RESULTS: A study of 3942 respondents in Jordan found that 45% have some knowledge of palliative care, with 31% being pretty knowledgeable. Most respondents (89%) strongly agree that patients with incurable illnesses should receive palliative care, with cancer patients showing the highest level of agreement (96%). The most agreed-upon aspect of palliative care is controlling pain and symptoms at home, while the least agreed-upon aspect is providing information on benefits and financial matters. The study also highlighted the link between palliative care and mortality, suggesting the need for increased awareness and education. CONCLUSION: The demand for palliative care in Jordan is increasing, requiring increased access, a holistic approach, open discussions, and easily accessible information. Challenges include integrating palliative care into non-malignant progressive diseases, ensuring comprehensive end-of-life care, promoting societal receptiveness towards mortality, enhancing information accessibility, and health promotion efforts. The study's results indicate the importance of implementing educational strategies and engaging families and communities in policymaking to change public knowledge and attitudes toward palliative care.

Attributes, skills and actions of clinical leadership in nursing as reported by hospital nurses: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Research shows a significant growth in clinical leadership from a nursing perspective; however, clinical leadership is still misunderstood in all clinical environments. Until now, clinical leaders were rarely seen in hospitals' top management and leadership roles. PURPOSE: This study surveyed the attributes and skills of clinical nursing leadership and the actions that effective clinical nursing leaders can do. METHODS: In 2020, a cross-sectional design was used in the current study using an online survey, with a non-random purposive sample of 296 registered nurses from teaching, public and private hospitals and areas of work in Jordan, yielding a 66% response rate. Data were analysed using descriptive analysis of frequency and central tendency measures, and comparisons were performed using independent t-tests. RESULTS: The sample consists mostly of junior nurses. The 'most common' attributes associated with clinical nursing leadership were effective communication, clinical competence, approachability, role model and support. The 'least common' attribute associated with clinical nursing leadership was 'controlling'. The top-rated skills of clinical leaders were having a strong moral character, knowing right and wrong and acting appropriately. Leading change and service improvement were clinical leaders' top-rated actions. An independent t-test on key variables revealed substantial differences between male and female nurses regarding the actions and skills of effective clinical nursing leadership. CONCLUSIONS: The current study looked at clinical leadership in Jordan's healthcare system, focusing on the role of gender in clinical nursing leadership. The findings advocate for clinical leadership by nurses as an essential element of value-based practice, and they influence innovation and change. As clinical leaders in various hospitals and healthcare settings, more empirical work is needed to build on clinical nursing in general and the attributes, skills and actions of clinical nursing leadership of nursing leaders and nurses.

Psychometric evaluation of a contemporary version of the drug and drug problems perception questionnaire.

BACKGROUND: More than 20 years ago, the Drug and Drug Problems Perception Questionnaire (DDPPQ) was developed to examine healthcare providers' attitudes and perceptions towards individuals who use drugs. In alignment with recommended terminology respectful of this patient population, the 20-item measure was revised using person-centered language. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of the person-centered DDPPQ (PC-DDPPQ) version among undergraduate nursing students. METHODS: Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were used to examine the PC-DDPPQ factor structure using a cross-sectional design. A convenience sample of 400 students from two nursing schools located in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions of the US participated in the study. The sample (N = 400) was divided equally between the exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). RESULTS: After applying principal axis factoring (PAF) with oblique (Promax) rotation, the EFA yielded a five-factor, 20-item structure that explained 70.0% of the variance. The CFA revealed that the final model, derived from the EFA, which yielded a 19-item, five-factor structure adequately fit the data (Comparative Fit Index (CFI) = 0.959, the Tucker-Lewis Index (TLI) = 0.951 and Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA) = 0.058). CONCLUSIONS: Except for one item (item #14), the five-factor structure aligned with the original 20-item version. This study contributes to promoting the use of a more appropriate and less stigmatizing language among healthcare providers working with patients who use drugs.

Psychometric Testing of the Arabic Version of the Reminiscence Functions Scale.

Background and Purpose: The Reminiscence Functions Scale (RFS), a reliable and valid 43-item scale, measures eight specific reasons as to why people reminisce. The current literature lacks an Arabic version of empirically-validated tools that measure reminiscence functions. This study aimed to test the psychometric properties of the translated version of the RFS in a sample of Arabic speakers from Jordan. Methods: The scale was first translated into Arabic and then was translated back into English. A committee of experts reviewed the Arabic scale and then confirmed its content validity. A convenience, snowball sample of 422 subjects completed the Arabic RFS. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and the internal consistency method were used to evaluate the factorial structure and reliability of the Arab RFS, respectively. Results: The Arabic RFS reported excellent content validity. EFA yielded a six-factor, 39-item structure that accounted for 52% of the variance. Cronbach's alphas for the six factors ranged from 0.82 to 0.91, indicating good to excellent internal consistency. Conclusions: The Arabic RFS is a valid and reliable measure of reminiscence functions for Jordanian adults.