Nursing And Midwifery Journal
Year:2024 | Volume:8 | Issue:11|Papers Count:8

Background & Aims: Nurses work in an environment full of conflicts, which can lead to a decrease in the quality of care provided, dissatisfaction, and leaving the profession. The existence of job conflict also affects the happiness of nurses. Therefore, interventions are necessary to better manage job conflicts and improve happiness. One of the most effective ways to improve people's emotional intelligence is educational interventions; therefore, the present study aimed to determine the effect the effect of emotional intelligence education (by active-passive method) on job conflict and happiness of nurses working at Imam Khomeini Educational and Medical Center in Urmia in 2024. Materials & Methods: The present study was a quasi-experimental study with a pre-test and post-test design, in which the participants were divided into two groups of control (40 people) and intervention (40 people). Initially, both groups completed the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire and the Dobrin Conflict Management Questionnaire as a pre-test. Then, 15 emotional intelligence skills were taught to the intervention group using active and passive methods, and the control group did not receive any intervention. Finally, one month after the intervention, both groups completed the post-test using the mentioned tools in two groups. Data were analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistics in SPSS software version 20. Results: The mean happiness score before the intervention was not significantly different between the control and intervention groups (P=0.70). However, after the intervention, the statistical changes between the two groups were significant (P<0.001). the mean occupational conflict score before the intervention showed no significant difference between the two groups (P=0.06), but it was significantly different after the intervention (P<0.001). Conclusion: The results of the present study indicated that emotional intelligence training (active-passive method) had a positive effect on reducing the job conflict and increasing the happiness of nurses. Therefore, it is suggested that emotional intelligence training (active-passive method) be considered as an effective intervention to improve happiness and manage job conflict among nurses.

In some situations, nurses inevitably resort to lying when caring for patients, while according to the ethical principles of caring for patients, it is necessary to be honest and tell the truth. This issue can become a complex and multidimensional ethical challenge for nurses. Truth-telling about the treatment process to the patient, regardless of his age, gender, and social and cultural backgrounds, should be considered an ethical principle. Although truth-telling is not considered one of the four principles of biomedical ethics, nevertheless, it is evaluated at the same level of importance as benefit, non-harm and justice (1). Expressing the truth is different according to the physical and mental conditions of each patient and does not follow a uniform pattern. Truth-telling about treatment to the patient helps to consciously search for the appropriate treatment, preserves independence and reduces his fear and anxiety, but at the same time it can be challenging for both patients and nurses (2). Although healthcare team members, especially nurses, generally agree on the importance of truth-telling in the treatment process, sometimes the truth is not told to the patient. The main argument of nurses in justifying hiding the truth or telling an expedient lie is a type of deception in the interaction, which aims to prevent grief and protect unpleasant feelings in the patient (3). The motivation for using this deception is to protect the benefit of patients and prevent them from becoming more confused in stressful situations. Plato also believed that a lie about the origin of the disease sometimes acts like a medicine and prevents unwanted reactions in the patient (4). Various studies have highlighted situations and conditions where expedient lying is common and usually unavoidable. Special conditions, including patients with cognitive disorders. These patients are not able to understand all or part of the existing truth, and if they know the truth of their illness, they become anxious or restless or have the possibility of harming themselves and others, so nurses inevitably resort to expedient lies (5). Similarly, due to children's inability to correctly understand information and older children, because in many cases they become disappointed and reduce cooperation with nurses after hearing the truth, nurses have no choice but to resort to expedient lies to gain children's trust and cooperation (6). End-of-life patients are another group where nurses sometimes have to tell expedient lies while taking care of them. In these people, when all the treatments have been unsuccessful, telling the truth will have the opposite result and will disturb the patient's mental peace (7). Several reasons justify the use of expedient lying, which according to various studies can be mentioned such as considering the patient's interest. The most important point that should be taken into account when considering the expediency of the patient to tell an expedient lie is to consider the coordination of the definition of expediency from the point of view of the patient and the nurse. The best expedient is to consider the preferences and wishes of the patient and special attention should be paid to it (8). Another reason for using an expedient lie is the creation of inappropriate and unbalanced situations for the patient. Expedient lying in this situation can help stabilize the patient's mental and psychological conditions and reach a suitable position. Revealing the unfortunate truth in inappropriate circumstances is not only unhelpful, but also adds to the instability of the situation (9). Additionally, prioritizing the therapeutic goal to the principle of honesty is one of the cases in which expedient lies are used. Perhaps this can be justified by the fact that there are situations in which, knowing the truth, patients distance themselves and the treatment team from reaching the treatment goal, and the possibility of non-cooperation and not reaching the treatment goals and recovery of the patient is reduced by telling the truth. finds (10). This article highlights that the truth-telling in some situations is a moral challenge faced by nurses. Trust arising from adherence to telling the truth is considered the most important factor in the success of nurse-patient relationships and is considered a kind of moral value. However, in certain situations, adherence to this moral value can be accompanied by difficulties. Factors like special conditions of patients and treatment goals play a crucial role in determining whether to tell the truth. While truth-telling is generally mandatory except in special cases, but it should not be forgotten that among the desired truth, there may also be bitterness for the listener; Therefore, what can be considered essential in telling the truth is considering the patient's condition and treatment goals. Although providing absolute solutions for this ethical dilemma is very difficult and complex and requires consensus with experts in the field of ethics as well as considering all dimensions and conditions of the problem, but in order to reduce physical and mental injuries in patients, nurses should receive the necessary training on ethical communication and learn about this and try to minimize the unpleasant side effects of knowing the truth by using the correct methods. In this direction, the necessity of providing correct information to patients as an ethical principle, compiling a guide for providing information in special conditions and situations of patient care, and using up-to-date models with a focus on respecting patients' rights are some of the proposed solutions to promote telling the truth to patients.

Background & Aim: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine disorders among women of reproductive age, significantly affecting both physical and mental health. This condition is associated with issues such as infertility, obesity, depression, anxiety, and a reduced sense of coherence. Moreover, women with PCOS exhibit a negative interpretive bias, which can exacerbate their psychological difficulties. The present study aimed to examine the effect of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) on the sense of coherence and interpretive bias in women with PCOS. Materials & Methods: This quasi-experimental study employed a pre-test, post-test, and follow-up design with a control group. The statistical population included women with PCOS who attended an endocrinology specialty clinic in Urmia. A total of 30 participants were selected through convenience sampling and were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (n = 15) or the control group (n = 15). The research instruments included the Sense of Coherence (SOC) Scale and the Revised Interpretive Bias Questionnaire. The intervention group underwent ACT in eight 60-minute sessions, while the control group received no intervention. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA in SPSS version 26. Results: The findings indicated that ACT had a significant effect on increasing the sense of coherence and reducing interpretive bias in the intervention group (P < 0.01). This effect remained stable not only in the post-test phase but also during the follow-up period, whereas the control group showed no significant changes in these variables. Discussion: The results of this study suggest that ACT can enhance psychological flexibility, reduce cognitive fusion, increase acceptance, and promote value-based living, leading to an improved sense of coherence and reduced interpretive bias in women with PCOS. Given the psychological challenges faced by these patients, ACT could be considered an effective intervention for improving their mental well-being. Future studies are recommended to explore the application of this intervention in other chronic disease populations.

Background & Aim: Psychological distress refers to the general concept of maladaptive psychological functioning in response to specific stressful life events that can cause permanent or temporary harm to the individual. Determining psychological distress in individuals allows for early diagnosis of mental problems. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine psychological distress and its relationship with some demographic characteristics in adults referring to Urmia's comprehensive urban health service centers in 2024. Materials & Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional-correlational study, 350 adults referring to Urmia's comprehensive urban health service centers who met the inclusion criteria were selected through multistage sampling and data were collected using Kessler's demographic characteristics and psychological distress questionnaires. For descriptive results, central tendency and frequency indices (percentages) were used, and for analytical results, a t-test, one-way analysis of variance, and linear regression were used to examine the relationship between variables and make prediction. Results: Based on the results of this study, the average total psychological distress score among participants was 11.19 out of 40. Psychological distress among participants had statistically significant differences in terms of demographic variables such as gender, employment status, income status, marital status, and history of psychiatric medication use. Also, employment status, housing status, and marital status were able to predict psychological distress and explained 67 percent of the psychological distress score. Discussion: Given the higher level of psychological distress in the studied women, unemployed individuals, individuals with lower income levels, and divorced individuals, it is recommended that health policymakers develop plans to improve psychological status and prevent the occurrence of serious mental disorders in these groups.

Background & Aim: Promoting breastfeeding is a global priority for the health of infants and children. Spiritual intelligence and spiritual health are two hypothetical components associated with breastfeeding self-efficacy, potentially enhancing exclusive breastfeeding practices. Given the significance of this topic, the present study aims to determine the relationship between spiritual intelligence, spiritual health, and breastfeeding self-efficacy among breastfeeding women in the city of Gorgan. Materials & Methods: A descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 269 primiparous women who were at most two months after delivery. Participants were selected through convenience sampling from the list of visitors at comprehensive health centers in Gorgan and completed demographic information forms, spiritual intelligence questionnaires, spiritual health questionnaires, and breastfeeding self-efficacy questionnaires through self-reporting. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistical methods and regression models with SPSS software version 16. Results: The average scores for spiritual intelligence, spiritual health, and breastfeeding self-efficacy were 53.66 ± 15.09, 99.6 ± 12.77, and 56.44 ± 5.56, respectively. The results revealed a significant correlation between spiritual intelligence and spiritual health (r = 0.23; p < 0.001) and additionally, between spiritual health and breastfeeding self-efficacy (r = 0.121; p = 0.048). However, a non-significant correlation was observed between spiritual intelligence and breastfeeding self-efficacy (r = 0.011; p = 0.863). Conclusion: Considering the impact of spiritual health on breastfeeding self-efficacy, it is essential to leverage this component to enhance breastfeeding self-efficacy. Emphasizing spiritual health in breastfeeding education and counseling can play a significant role in promoting effective breastfeeding practices.

Background & Aims: Nurses working in critical care units frequently experience moral distress and compassion fatigue, particularly when providing end-of-life care. This study aimed to examine the relationship between moral distress and compassion fatigue among nurses working in Intensive Care Units (ICUs) and Coronary Care Units (CCUs) in Tehran, Iran. Matherials & Methods: In this descriptive, cross-sectional correlational study, a random sample of 223 ICU/CCU nurses was selected from eight teaching hospitals affiliated with medical sciences universities in Tehran. Data were collected using validated instruments: Hamric's Moral Distress Scale-Revised and Figley's Professional Quality of Life Scale (ProQOL). Data analysis included descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and linear regression. Results: The majority of nurses reported high levels of moral distress (67.3%) and moderate levels of compassion fatigue (63.2%). A significant positive correlation was found between moral distress and compassion fatigue (r = 0.567, p < 0.001). Regression analysis revealed that compassion fatigue significantly predicted moral distress, accounting for 32% of the variance (R² = 0.32). Conclusion: The high prevalence of moral distress and compassion fatigue among ICU nurses, along with their strong association, underscores the need for organizational interventions. Nursing administrators should implement workplace improvements, establish support systems, and provide ethics training to mitigate these psychological burdens. Such measures may enhance nurses' well-being and improve the quality of end-of-life care.

Background & Aims: The quality of nursing care is affected by various factors, and functional barriers are among the most important factors that can increase nurses' workload. This study aimed to investigate the predictive power of functional barriers on the quality of nursing care in nurses in the intensive care unit of teaching hospitals affiliated with Urmia University of Medical Sciences. Materials & Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted in 2024 on 220 nurses working in the intensive care units of teaching hospitals in Urmia. The samples were selected using a stratified and convenience sampling method. The data collection tools included demographic questionnaires, the GRACEZ functional barriers scale, and the QUALPAC nursing care quality scale. Data analysis was performed with SPSS version 19 software using descriptive and analytical statistics. Results: The results showed a significant inverse relationship between functional barriers (except for environmental and organizational dimensions) and the quality of nursing care (p < 0.05). The univariate linear regression model indicated that a one-unit decrease in the functional barriers score was associated with an average increase of 2.60 units in the nursing care quality score. Conclusion: The findings demonstrated that functional barriers have a negative and predictive impact on the quality of nursing care. Therefore, developing and implementing effective interventions to reduce these barriers can play a crucial role in improving the quality of nursing care.

Background & Aims: Anxiety in burn patients can prolong recovery. The presence of a family companion may help reduce patient anxiety and increase family satisfaction. This study aimed to determine the effect of family presence on patient anxiety and family satisfaction in burn intensive care units (ICUs) at Imam Khomeini Hospital in Ardabil, Iran, in 2023. Materials & Methods: This randomized clinical trial included 57 eligible patients and their families admitted to the burn ICU. Participants were divided into an intervention group (n=30), where a companion was allowed to stay at the bedside for 90 minutes daily for six consecutive days, and a control group (n=27), where companions could only visit via video call. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, the Visual Analog Scale for Anxiety (VAS-A), and the Family Satisfaction in the ICU questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS-24, paired and independent t-tests, and descriptive statistics. Results: Before the intervention, the two groups showed no significant differences in demographic characteristics, anxiety levels, or family satisfaction. After the intervention, the mean anxiety score in the intervention group significantly decreased from 8.42±1.90 to 2.73±1.36 (p<0.001), while no significant change was observed in the control group (9.19±1.00 to 8.78±1.28, p=0.054). Family satisfaction in the intervention group significantly increased from 61.10±13.98 to 103.93±8.79 (p<0.001), whereas the control group showed only a slight increase (63.40±13.87 to 68.37±12.60). Post-intervention comparisons between the two groups revealed significant differences in both anxiety (p<0.001) and family satisfaction (p<0.001). Conclusion: Structured family presence significantly reduces anxiety in burn patients and enhances family satisfaction. Therefore, incorporating family visitation programs into burn care protocols is recommended to improve emotional support and overall patient outcomes.