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Developments in Theory and Practice in Nursing Sciences

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A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Nursing".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2023) | Viewed by 25324

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Carlos Sequeira

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Nursing School of Porto (ESEP), CINTESIS of University of Porto, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
Interests: mental health; active ageing; gerontology; information systems; positive psychology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Olga Ribeiro

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1. CINTESIS@RISE, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
2. Nursing Department, Nursing School of Porto, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
Interests: research in nursing; human development; self-care; management of signs and symptoms; nursing discipline and profession; training and management in nursing

Prof. Dr. Wilson Abreu

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Guest Editor

Nursing Department, Nursing School of Porto, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
Interests: research in nursing; human development; self-care; management of signs and symptoms; nursing discipline and profession; training and management in nursing
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Francisco Sampaio

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CINTESIS@RISE, Nursing School of Porto (ESEP), Rua Dr. Plácido da Costa, s/n, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
Interests: psychiatric nursing; mental health; psychotherapy; anxiety; psychometrics; taxonomies
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Following the increase in average life expectancy and the greater number of chronic diseases, in addition to the challenges imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, and globalisation, it is urgent to (re)think what is being investigated and why it is being investigated. In this sense, with a focus on nursing research, this Special Issue aims to provide a space for sharing knowledge, experiences, and evidence resulting from research, as well as promoting reflection on challenges and new opportunities in the way research is conceived, planned, and developed.

Investing in nursing research can help achieve sustainable development, and it is hoped that this Special Issue will provide an excellent platform to reflect on how to accelerate production and, essentially, translate knowledge that adds value to people's health and lives.

Prof. Dr. Carlos Sequeira
Prof. Dr. Olga Ribeiro
Prof. Dr. Wilson Abreu
Prof. Dr. Francisco Sampaio
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

research in nursing
human development
self-care
management of signs and symptoms
nursing discipline and profession
training and management in nursing

Published Papers (12 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 335 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Coping Mechanisms of Psychiatric Nurses in Child Mental Health Environments in North West Province, South Africa: A Qualitative Call for Urgency

by Rorisang Mary Machailo, Molekodi Jacob Matsipane and Daleen Koen

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(17), 6625; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20176625 - 22 Aug 2023

Viewed by 1258

Abstract

There is currently a growing understanding of child mental health. However, with little attention and investment from decision-makers, the prevalence of child mental health challenges shows no signs of diminishing. Psychiatric nursing is a process in which the major knowledge and skills dealing with the interpersonal and intrapersonal dynamics of human beings are practised. These nurses have to cope with this demand in a scant clinical child psychiatric environment. An exploratory, descriptive, and contextual research design was used to postulate the coping mechanism of these nurses in a clinical child psychiatric environment. This study comprised psychiatric nurses, and data were collected through focused group interviews. The findings emphasised the importance of clinical support to enhance quality nursing care and adjustment related to the demands on psychiatric nurses to participate fully in the service. Conclusion: Child and mental health services ought to enable nurses to better deal with the service demands and quality of psychiatric health care. An increased understanding of child mental health challenges is needed so that nurses’ roles and functions in child psychiatric practice can be defined. Effective management and support ought to enable psychiatric nurses and health care teams to make decisions that support international development targets. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Developments in Theory and Practice in Nursing Sciences)

15 pages, 359 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Experiences of Self-Stigma in People with Chronic Psychosis: A Qualitative Study

by Tatiana Arboleya-Faedo, Ana González-Menéndez, David González-Pando, Mercedes Paino and Fernando Alonso-Pérez

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(9), 5688; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20095688 - 29 Apr 2023

Viewed by 1565

Abstract

We present the results of a phenomenological study understanding the personal meaning of self-stigma in people with chronic psychosis. Self-stigma is a frequent phenomenon in the lives of people with psychosis and their families and it functions as a barrier to recovery. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with fourteen outpatients that suffer from chronic psychosis during January 2020. Data analysis was carried out using an inductive approach as described by Graneheim and Lundman through the MAXQDA 2022 program. The themes observed were: “Contextual Stigma”, “Components of Self-Stigma”, “Skills Loss” and “Coping with Self-Stigma”. The main categories and subcategories were avoidance and escape behaviours from their social environment, labelling, loss of social relationships, negative impact and self-concealment of the diagnosis. Our results revealed influence on each other, forming a looping effect that explains and amplifies the lived experience of self-stigma. These findings highlight the need to implement strategies in nursing practice aimed at training the acceptance and distancing necessary to minimize the impact of self-stigma on people with chronic psychosis. This study adheres to the EQUATOR guidelines for the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Developments in Theory and Practice in Nursing Sciences)

12 pages, 357 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of External Employment Opportunities, Nursing Professionalism, and Nursing Work Environments on Korean Hospital Nurses’ Intent to Stay or Leave

by Mi-Aie Lee and So-Hee Lim

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(5), 4026; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20054026 - 24 Feb 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1455

Abstract

This study aims to explore Korean Hospital nurses’ intent to stay or leave their working environment, and to identify the difference between the intent to stay and the intent to leave by identifying the relationship between external employment opportunities, professionalism, and work environment. Data were collected via an online survey and analyzed using stepwise multiple regression analysis. As a result of the analysis, the intent to stay among Korean hospital nurses was influenced by the work environment, external employment opportunities, education level, and marital status, whereas the intent to leave was influenced by the nursing work environment, marital status, and total clinical experience. As a result, the reflected variables differed. Thus, it can be concluded that hospital nurses’ intent to either stay or leave are not concepts that simply contradict each other in the same context but are, in fact, influenced differently by various factors. Nevertheless, it can also be concluded that nursing managers should make efforts to improve the nursing work environment to lower nurses’ intent to leave and increase their intent to stay by improving only the nursing work environment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Developments in Theory and Practice in Nursing Sciences)

16 pages, 6234 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Validating an Instrument for Measuring Newly Graduated Nurses’ Adaptation

by Hafidza Baharum, Aniza Ismail, Zainudin Awang, Lisa McKenna, Roszita Ibrahim, Zainah Mohamed and Nor Haty Hassan

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(4), 2860; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20042860 - 6 Feb 2023

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 4247

Abstract

A long-established approach, Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) is used to validate measurement models of latent constructs. Employing CFA can be useful for assessing the validity and reliability of such models. The study adapted previous instruments and modified them to suit the current setting. The new measurement model is termed NENA-q. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) revealed the instruments of the NENA-q model formed a construct of the second order with four dimensions, namely organizational contribution (OC), academic institution contribution (AIC), personality traits (PT), and newly employed nurses’ adaptation (NENA). Researchers administered the questionnaires to a sample of 496 newly employed nurses working in hospitals under the Ministry of Health (MOH) for the confirmation of the extracted dimensions. The study performed a two-step CFA procedure to validate NENA-q since the model involves higher-order constructs. The first step was individual CFA, while the second step was pooled CFA. The validation procedure through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) found the model achieved the threshold of construct validity through fitness index assessment. The model also achieved convergent validity when all average variance extracted (AVE) exceeded the threshold value of greater than 0.5. The assessment of the composite reliability (CR) value indicates all CR values exceeded the threshold value of 0.6, which indicates the construct achieved composite reliability. Overall, the NENA-q model consisting of the OC construct, AIC construct, PT construct, and NENA construct for CFA has met the fitness indexes and passed the measurements of the AVE, CR, and normality test. Once the measurement models have been validated through CFA procedure, the researcher can assemble these constructs into structural model and estimate the required parameter through structural equation modelling (SEM) procedure. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Developments in Theory and Practice in Nursing Sciences)

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15 pages, 786 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Leaders’ Role in Shaping Followers’ Well-Being: Crossover in a Sample of Nurses

by Andrea Caputo, Paola Gatti, Marco Clari, Giacomo Garzaro, Valerio Dimonte and Claudio Giovanni Cortese

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(3), 2386; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20032386 - 29 Jan 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2306

Abstract

The link between well-being at work and leadership has received considerable attention. Leaders have the power to influence followers not only due to formal position, but also their positive behaviors could reinforce the followers’ positive working experience. Following the crossover model (Westman, 2001), this study investigates whether leaders’ work-related positive psychological states (i.e., work engagement) cross over to those of the followers (i.e., work engagement and job satisfaction) through the mediation of the latter’s perception of transformational leadership. We used MPlus 8 to test two multilevel mediations in a sample of 1505 nurses nested in 143 groups led by as many leaders (87.19% of nurses and 56.50% of head nurses of the entire population). Results show that while there is not a crossover of leader work engagement to nurse work engagement, manager work engagement can cross over to nurse job satisfaction, enhancing their well-being through transformational leadership behaviors. This study adds further insights both on crossover theory and on the importance of leaders in expanding and transferring resources to followers at work. Fostering work engagement at a managerial level in the healthcare sector could be the driver to facilitate the well-being of nurses at work, address negative outcomes, and promote positive ones. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Developments in Theory and Practice in Nursing Sciences)

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12 pages, 374 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Designing a Nurse-Led Program for Self-Management of Substance Addiction Consequences: A Modified e-Delphi Study

by Paulo Seabra, Inês Nunes, Rui Sequeira, Ana Sequeira, Ana Simões, Fernando Filipe, Paula Amaral, Marissa Abram and Carlos Sequeira

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(3), 2137; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20032137 - 24 Jan 2023

Viewed by 1787

Abstract

Therapeutic interventions for people with problematic use of psychoactive substances can help tackle specific needs related to substance addiction consequences. This modified e-Delphi study aimed to establish consensus on a training program for self-management of substance addiction consequences. The study was conducted between February and April 2022, with an experts’ sample of 28 participants in the first round and 24 in the second. A priori consensus criteria were defined for each round. The results revealed a very strong consensus was achieved on the structure of the program and on clinical areas, such as the problematic use of substances, general health knowledge, health-seeking behavior and adherence, self-knowledge and well-being, social role and personal dignity, and family process. Additionally, over 80% participant consensus was achieved on an extensive number of interventions categorized as psychoeducational, psychotherapeutic, socio therapeutic, brief interventions, social skills training, problem solving techniques, relaxation techniques, and counseling. These findings may be able to fulfill a gap concerning structured treatment approaches for people with problematic use of psychoactive substances. Supporting self-management of the consequences of substance addiction and its application can change nurses’ interventions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Developments in Theory and Practice in Nursing Sciences)

13 pages, 1074 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Developing a Card Game for Assessment and Intervention in the Person and the Family in Palliative Care: “Pallium Game”

by Carla Sílvia Fernandes, M. Belém Vale, Bruno Magalhães, João P. Castro, Marta D. Azevedo and Marisa Lourenço

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(2), 1449; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20021449 - 13 Jan 2023

Viewed by 2256

Abstract

Communication between the multidisciplinary team, the person, and the family in palliative and end-of-life situations implies, in most situations, a high negative emotional burden. Therefore, innovative strategies are needed to reduce it. The goal of this study is to describe the various stages of development and validation of a collaborative card game for people in palliative care and their families. Phase one is an exploratory study, Phase two is a Delphi study, and Phase three is a multiple case study. Participants for phases 2 and 3 were recruited using a convenience sampling method. The results demonstrate in an organized and structured way the different phases required to build a collaborative card game. The use of the game was found to be useful and effective. Four categories emerged from the content analysis of the open-ended responses: usability, evaluation tool, communication and therapeutic relationship, and meaning when using the game. A collaborative game in palliative care helps to create a space for individuals and families to express feelings and experiences, meeting the myriad of physical, psychosocial, and spiritual needs. The “Pallium game” is a useful and impactful approach to discussing sensitive topics in palliative care. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Developments in Theory and Practice in Nursing Sciences)

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7 pages, 904 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Construction of an Ophthalmological Calendar for the Therapeutic Follow-Up of Glaucoma in the Elderly

by Margarida da Silva Neves de Abreu, Maria Clara Palitot Galdino, Suellen Duarte de Oliveira Matos, Carla Christina de Lima Pereira Bezerra Cavalcanti and Débora Raquel Soares Guedes Trigueiro

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(2), 1237; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20021237 - 10 Jan 2023

Viewed by 1118

Abstract

Health teams in primary care play a key role in the eye health of users as they understand that early identification of any visual change can result in satisfactory outcomes and better prognoses, preventing damage that is often irreversible to health. Building an ophthalmological calendar for the therapeutic follow-up of glaucoma in the elderly, this is a methodological study, as the process of constructing the calendar’s content followed the Raymundo theoretical framework. The calendar was built in the following steps: bibliographic survey, content development, transformation of the language of scientific information into easy-to-understand expressions, creation and production of illustrations of the first draft, evaluation of the first draft made by the examining board, diagramming and presentation of the product. The construction of the calendar covers a specific theme for the elderly with glaucoma, which emphasizes the need to invest more in the inclusion of new technologies that will provide greater effectiveness and adherence of the user and the health team for the management of comprehensive care. The implementation of the produced calendar will allow for a better understanding and bond between the team professionals and the user and, consequently, a better monitoring of the therapeutic process of the patient involved. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Developments in Theory and Practice in Nursing Sciences)

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10 pages, 630 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Shorted Happiness at Work Scale: Psychometric Proprieties of the Portuguese Version in a Sample of Nurses

by Sofia Feitor, Teresa Martins and Elisabete Borges

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(1), 658; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20010658 - 30 Dec 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2412

Abstract

In the last decades, happiness at work has been studied due to social changes; increased workload; stress; and, more recently, the COVID-19 pandemic. Happiness at work is considered an umbrella concept as it covers individual and organizational aspects of working life. The aim of this study is to analyze the psychometric properties of the Shorted Happiness at Work Scale (SHAW) in a sample of Portuguese nurses. A cross-sectional study with 113 Portuguese nurses, from one of the islands of the Azores, was selected through a convenience sample. A sociodemographic/professional questionnaire and the SHAW scale were applied. Through the CFA, the SHAW trifactorial model was tested according to its theoretical reference, having obtained a general tolerable adjustment index. After respecification of the model through the correlation of the errors of two items, a better adjustment was obtained, but the RMSEA value remains problematic. Additionally, the values of the coefficient of internal consistency were indicative of good fidelity. The analysis of the psychometric characteristics of the SHAW scale, in the sample of Portuguese nurses, suggests a theoretical adaptation to the model of happiness at work. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Developments in Theory and Practice in Nursing Sciences)

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9 pages, 809 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Psychoeducation Programs to Reduce Preoperative Anxiety in Adults: A Scoping Review

by Palmira Oliveira, Catarina Porfírio, Regina Pires, Rosa Silva, José Carlos Carvalho, Tiago Costa and Carlos Sequeira

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(1), 327; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20010327 - 25 Dec 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2789

Abstract

Background: Surgical procedure is a critical event that causes anxiety for patients. One of the possible intervention strategies to reduce anxiety in the preoperative period is psychoeducation. Methods: A scoping review was conducted according to the JBI methodology and PRISMA-ScR to map knowledge about psychoeducation programs to reduce preoperative anxiety in adults. The data were extracted by the researchers, according to the objective of the study. Finally, the data synthesis was presented in narrative format and tables. Results: four studies were included in the review with different characteristics of psychoeducation programs. The approach of these programs consisted of teaching about anxiety, instruction and training in anxiety control techniques. The contents referred to included the surgical process and intervention techniques to reduce anxiety. Program sessions lasted from 45 to 150 min, with a frequency of 1 to 6. The assessment instrument used was the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. The dynamisers were nurses, psychotherapists and clinical psychologists. Conclusions: Psychoeducation programs can be useful and effective in reducing anxiety. More studies are needed to confirm these results. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Developments in Theory and Practice in Nursing Sciences)

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10 pages, 607 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Psychometric Properties of the Portuguese Version of the Iceland-Family Perceived Support Questionnaire in Parents of Children and Adolescents with Chronic Condition

by Sara Lemos, Luísa Andrade, Maria do Céu Barbieri-Figueiredo, Teresa Martins and Lígia Lima

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(1), 247; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20010247 - 23 Dec 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1356

Abstract

The support from nurses perceived by family members of children with chronic conditions has been shown to be a protective factor at different levels in a family’s health. As such, nurses need to have instruments that assess this perception to increase the quality of the care provided to those families. This methodological study aimed to analyze the psychometric properties of the Portuguese translation of the Iceland-Family Perceived Support Questionnaire (ICE-FPSQ) in parents of children/adolescents with chronic conditions. The ICE-FPSQ was administered to 237 parents recruited from the day hospital and outpatient services of four hospitals in Northern Portugal. Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficients for the Total Scale, Cognitive Support, and Emotional Support subscales were excellent (α = 0.96, α = 0.93, α = 0.96, respectively). Reasonable fit indexes were found by confirmatory factor analysis (χ²/df = 2.799; CFI = 0.960; PCFI = 0.791, and RMSEA = 0.087), indicating a good model fit to the original structure. The ICE-FPSQ is a valid and reliable instrument to measure perceived support. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Developments in Theory and Practice in Nursing Sciences)

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13 pages, 1530 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of COVID-19 on the Environments of Professional Nursing Practice and Nurses’ Job Satisfaction

by Olga Maria Pimenta Lopes Ribeiro, Vânia Maria Oliveira Coimbra, Soraia Cristina de Abreu Pereira, Ana da Conceição Alves Faria, Paulo João Figueiredo Cabral Teles and Carla Gomes da Rocha

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(24), 16908; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192416908 - 16 Dec 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1717

Abstract

(1) Background: The repercussions of work environments were widely studied before the pandemic. However, there are still many difficulties to be discovered considering the impact generated by it. Thus, this study aimed to analyse the impact of COVID-19 on nursing practice environments and nurses’ job satisfaction. (2) Methods: A correlational study was conducted in a hospital in northern Portugal, with the participation of 416 registered nurses. Data were collected in June 2021 through questionnaires. The study was approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee. (3) Results: COVID-19 had a favourable impact on the structure component of the practice environments; the process component decreased compared to the pre-pandemic period; the outcome component remained moderately favourable to the quality of care. Nurses were not very satisfied or not at all satisfied with their valuation and remuneration; moderately satisfied with the leadership and staffing; and satisfied with the organisation and resources, co-workers and valuation by patients and families. In more favourable environments, nurses’ job satisfactions were higher. (4) Conclusions: Identifying the dimensions with the best and worst scores allowed the institution’s managers to concentrate efforts on where improvements were needed, thus preparing professional contexts for the recovery of care activities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Developments in Theory and Practice in Nursing Sciences)

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