Aim
The purpose of this study was to investigate relationships between the presence of and search for meaning in life and self‐esteem, psychological distress, burnout and affect among hospice nurses.
Background
The nature of hospice nursing may prompt existential concerns.
Method
Hospice nurses (N = 90) completed an online survey.
Results
The presence of meaning in life was associated with lower psychological distress, burnout and negative affect, and higher levels of positive affect, whereas the search for meaning in life was only associated with higher negative affect. Self‐esteem mediated the relationship between the presence of meaning in life and psychological distress, burnout and negative affect.
Conclusion
The presence of meaning in life promotes self‐esteem, which then buffers against negative outcomes.
Implication for Nursing Management
Although managers cannot directly instil meaning in life in hospice nurses, they may be able to help nurses to find or maintain meaning by promoting policies that allow them to participate in meaningful personal, cultural or religious activities. Additionally, managers of hospice nurses could connect them with resources (e.g. mentors, counsellors or chaplains) to cope with the existential demands of providing end‐of‐life care.
Rape myths are false beliefs about rape, rape victims, and rapists, often prejudicial and stereotypical. Guided by feminist theory and available empirical research, this study aimed to examine the influences of gender, religious affiliation, and religiosity on rape myth acceptance of U.S. emerging adults. A sample of 653 university students aged 18 to 30 years were recruited from a large public university in the southern United States to complete the research questionnaires. Results indicated that individuals who identified as Roman Catholic or Protestant endorsed higher levels of rape myth acceptance than their atheist or agnostic counterparts. Men were found more likely to ascribe to rape myths than their female counterparts. Religiosity was positively associated with rape myth acceptance, even after controlling the effect of conservative political ideology. No significant interaction was found between gender and religious affiliation or gender and religiosity. Limitations, future research directions, and implications of the findings are discussed from the perspective of feminist theory.
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between social support (from personal and workplace sources) and psychological distress (depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms), as well as to examine the mediating role of satisfaction with work–family balance among hospice nurses.
Design and Method
A cross‐sectional study design was utilized with a sample of 90 hospice nurses from the southern United States. Participants completed online surveys, including (a) the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS‐21), (b) loosely adapted items from the Affectivity, Burnout, and Absenteeism Scales, and (c) Satisfaction with Work–Family Balance Scale.
Findings
Workplace social support, not personal social support, was associated with lower psychological distress, and satisfaction with work–family balance mediated the relationship between workplace social support and depression symptoms, a component of psychological distress.
Conclusions
Hospice nurses’ social support in the workplace and their satisfaction with the balance between their work and family lives play a role in supporting their mental health.
Clinical Relevance
Hospice nurses may benefit from programs fostering the creation of workplace‐based interpersonal relationships.
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