Positive Reflective Journaling As A Tool For Managing Stress And Promoting A Healthy Work Environment In Nursing Academia, Roxanne Gall

DNP Projects

Abstract

Background: Teaching and nursing are consistently cited as the two occupations that work under the highest levels of occupational stress. Positive Reflective Journaling may be a tool that helps to manage stress and influence a healthy work environment in academic nursing settings.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether Positive Reflective Journaling could be used as an adjunct to reduce stress and support a healthy working environment in

nursing academia.

Methodology: Eighty-six faculty and staff from a University based School of Nursing were invited to participate in the study. A positive reflective journaling exercise was evaluated …

The Effect Of Multimethodological Emotional Intelligence Training On Emotional Intelligence Levels In Nurses At An Academic Medical Center, Chad Eldridge

DNP Projects

Background: Stress levels associated with the nursing career can be amplified by hostile social environments in the workplace, horizontal aggression, lack of leadership support, and poor communication. This can lead to poor retention rates and increased burnout.

Conversely, supportive work environments positively influence nursing sensitive quality indicators such as patient satisfaction, nosocomial infections, patient falls, pressure ulcers, and medication errors. Strong relationships enhance workplace social capital leading to an increased sense of belonging, strengthened mental health, and improved job satisfaction ratings.

Executive nurse leaders can promote an empowering environment dedicated to the physical, mental, and social well-being of their staff …

Implementing The Mothers And Babies Program To Reduce Preterm And Low Birth Weight Deliveries, Tan Frison

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

Georgia ranks fourth (4th) in the nation for the highest low birth weight rate at 10%, and sixth (6th) in the nation for preterm birth rate at 11.7%, among the states. Based on statistical data Bulloch county has maintained an average low birth weight statistic of 10% for over a decade. In 2019, there were 107 preterm and 79 low weight births in Bulloch county, Georgia. These numbers confirm there is a need for more preventive resources for mothers and children within this community. To address this burden, the Bulloch County health department has decided to implement the Mothers and …

Associations Between Psychosocial Stressors, Genes, And Cardiovascular Disease In At-Risk Adults, Kaitlin Voigts Key

Theses and Dissertations--Nursing

Psychosocial stressors have a significant adverse impact on cardiovascular health. While better medical treatments and increased emphasis on healthy lifestyle have improved cardiovascular health for many in the United States over the past 50 years, there are persistent inequities in cardiovascular disease (CVD) rates, with the highest rates among populations burdened by chronic exposure to psychosocial stressors such as discrimination and anxiety, among others. Genetic factors may interact with these stressors further influencing the rates of CVD in these populations. The purpose of this dissertation is to examine associations among psychosocial stressors and other CVD risk factors, and the influence …

The Effects Of Mindfulness Practices On Nurse Leader Resiliency, Kimberly Blanton

DNP Projects

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate if brief Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) sessions can improve nurse leader resilience and overall mindfulness.

Conceptual Framework: Two different conceptual frameworks, Jean Watson’s theory of caring and Albert Bandura’s theory of self-efficacy, were used to guide this project. Watson’s theory of caring is defined as healing of the mind, body, and spirit. This theory supports caring for oneself while caring for others. Bandura’s theory focuses on the belief that individuals can influence their own lives.

Methodology: This study employed a descriptive, pretest-posttest single site comparative design. Sixty-six nursing leaders from …

Race-Based Discrimination, Occupational Stress, And Depression In Black Registered Nurses, Arica A. Brandford

Theses and Dissertations--Nursing

The purpose of this dissertation was to examine depression, experiences of work-related racism, and occupational stress among black nurses. Nursing is a highly stressful and demanding profession that can negatively affect health. Underscoring this is the high rate of depression experienced by nurses. In fact, nurses experience depression at a rate twice that of individuals in other occupations. Examining depression in nurses can provide insights that can inform measures addressing the psychological health of this group. This may be particularly important in black nurses who, in addition to the already high occupational stress associated with nursing, may experience additional stress …

Tissues And Trauma: Pain Neuroscience Education For Veterans With Post-Traumatic Stress And Low Back Pain, Timothy Mark Benedict

Theses and Dissertations--Rehabilitation Sciences

Low back pain (LBP) is the top reason for Soldiers to seek medical care and one of the top reasons to be medically discharged. Mental health problems and psychosocial stressors have been increasing in Soldiers and are also top causes for medical discharge. Dysregulated stress has contributed to many Soldiers and Veterans to develop chronic LBP as well as mental health disorders like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Research suggests that psychosocial characteristics, as opposed to physical factors or tissue health, contribute to chronic pain the most. Focusing entirely on tissues for individuals seeking care for LBP can increase disability and …

The Role Of Stress In The Relationship Between Shift Worked And Hypertension, Madison Liford

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

Purpose: Individuals working non-daytime shifts have been reported to have an increased risk for many negative health outcomes, including poor cardiovascular health. This study aims to examine the relationship between shift worked and hypertension—a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Of particular interest in this study was the role of stress and type of shift worked (day, evening, night, or rotating) in this relationship.

Methods: The study utilized National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data collected between 2005 and 2010. The study population was limited to adult workers 20 years of age and older (n=9356). Initial descriptive statistics of …

Perceived Stress, Caffeine Consumption, And Gpa Of Undergraduate Students At A Large Public University, Emma Simpson

Theses and Dissertations--Nutrition and Food Systems

Evidence suggests that college students may increase caffeine consumption to cope with the stress and demands of college. The relationships between perceived stress, caffeine consumption, and GPA were examined in students at a large public university. Students were surveyed to determine perceived stress (Cohen’s Perceived Stress Questionnaire), beliefs about caffeine, caffeine consumption, workload in and outside of the classroom, and GPA. Surveys were administered at the beginning of the semester and again at midterm. Based on Cohen’s 40-point scale, average stress scores increased from 15.95 ± 6.34 at the beginning of the semester to 18.89 ± 6.94 at midterms. Additionally, …

Co-Morbid Symptoms Of Depression And Anxiety And Bio-Behavioral Response To Stress In Patients With Heart Failure, Abdullah S. Alhurani

Theses and Dissertations--Nursing

Heart failure (HF) is a major public health problem throughout the world. It accounts for one death certificate among nine in the United States. Heart failure and sudden death combined are responsible for the largest number of deaths in America. The total costs of HF in the United States are estimated to be $37 billion each year. Despite substantial medical and surgical advances related to treatment of HF, it remains a very costly condition with high mortality and morbidity rates. Although biological factors contribute to high morbidity and mortality in HF, there are many unexplored psychosocial factors that also likely …

Stress In Parents Of Children With Type 1 Diabetes, Megan B. Carter

DNP Projects

Pediatric healthcare providers across the country care for many children with complex chronic diseases. Many of these children are not developmentally mature enough to manage their disease process, leaving the parent of the chronically ill child to manage their disease. The parent of the chronically ill child may experience stress related to their child’s illness, termed pediatric parenting stress, and may have difficulty dealing with this stress (Streisand, Kazak, & Tercyak, 2003). The manuscripts in this Practice Inquiry Project further investigate the relationship between pediatric parenting stress and the health of the parent and the chronically ill child. The instruments …

Financial Strain, High Stress And Smoking Among United Way Missouri 2-1-1 Callers, Brandon Cofield

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

Objectives.

We evaluated the influence of financial strain and perceived stress on smoking status among United Way Missouri 2-1-1 callers of predominantly low socioeconomic status.

Methods.

Data for this study were collected as part of a randomized, controlled intervention trial integrating cancer control referrals into regular United Way 2-1-1 Missouri services. Those who consented, completed the assessment and had at least one cancer control need were invited to participate in a longitudinal study that included completing the baseline assessment used in this study. We conducted chi-square analyses to assess the bivariate relationships between each financial strain variable and smoking status, …

Cortisol, Physical Activity, And Weight Loss In A Randomized Clinical Trial, Shawn S. Smith

Theses and Dissertations--Nutrition and Food Systems

Abnormal cortisol levels may be an important factor in the ability of an individual to lose weight and maintain weight loss. This study examined overweight and obese individuals who participated in a weight loss program. Cortisol, physical activity, and weight loss were measured at regular intervals and examined for possible relationships

What Keeps Us Well? Professional Quality Of Life And Career Sustaining Behaviors Of Music Therapy Professionals, Shane C. Swezey

Theses and Dissertations--Music

Self-care can be seen as not only critical for individual professionals, but also for the growth of the helping professions and the quality of care which clients receive. The purpose of this study was to investigate use of career-sustaining behaviors and the levels of professional quality of life in music therapy professionals. This study investigated research questions regarding use of career sustaining behaviors and levels of professional quality of life, the relationship between these variables, the differences in the use of career sustaining behavior by demographics, and the use of music as a self-care strategy.

An online survey was sent …