Psychological preparedness for pandemic (COVID-19) management: Perceptions of nurses and nursing students in India

Abstract

Introduction The growing COVID-19 pandemic has posed a great threat to millions of people worldwide. Nurses and nursing students are an important group of health professionals who are most likely to face many challenges in this unprecedented scenario. The present study aimed at exploring nurses’ and nursing students’ perception of psychological preparedness for the pandemic (COVID-19) management. Materials & methods The study employed a quantitative cross-sectional online survey research design. Purposive sampling was used with an attempt to represent the entire nurses (i.e. nursing officers, nurse administrators and nursing teachers) and nursing students’ group of India. The survey link including the questionnaires was shared to their email ID and they were invited to participate in the study. Data were collected using Psychological Preparedness for Disaster Threat Scale (PPDTS)–Modified, General Self Efficacy (GSE) Scale, Optimism Scale and Brief Resilient Coping Scale (BRS). Totally 685 responses were received and 676 forms were completed which were analyzed using SPSS software (version 24). Results The mean age of the subjects was 31.72±9.58 years. Around 20% of the subjects previously had some kind of psychological training and 4% of the subjects had taken care of persons with COVID-19. Findings revealed that mean score for PPDTS, GSE, BRCS and Optimism was 73.44±10.82, 33.19±5.23, 16.79±2.73 and 9.61±2.26 respectively indicating that the subjects had moderate level of psychological preparedness, self-efficacy and resilience but higher level of optimism. Psychological preparedness, self-efficacy, optimism and resilience were positively correlated to each other. Self- efficacy, optimism, and resilience emerged as predictors of psychological preparedness. Conclusion The findings suggested that self-efficacy, optimism and resilience can be considered as predictors for psychological preparedness in pandemic management. Appropriate training could influence self-efficacy while programs addressing resilience and coping may strengthen psychological preparedness which can help in further management of ongoing pandemic.

Loneliness and Optimism among Polish Nursing Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Mediatory Role of Self-Efficacy

“…The findings can be regarded as reflecting nursing students’ personal resources, which are helpful in coping with adversity and support the optimum learning process. This claim was confirmed by the findings of Gandhi, which demonstrated a positive correlation between self-efficacy and optimism [ 73 ]. A high level of optimism has been demonstrated to contribute to a positive correlation with adaptation, it can improve an individual’s cognitive and emotional functioning when he/she is facing a challenge, or it can reduce the psychological stress level.…”

“…A high level of optimism has been demonstrated to contribute to a positive correlation with adaptation, it can improve an individual’s cognitive and emotional functioning when he/she is facing a challenge, or it can reduce the psychological stress level. Individuals with higher self-efficacy, optimism, and attentiveness are better mentally prepared to function during the pandemic [ 73 ]. Said et al confirmed that self-efficacy, self-esteem and dispositional optimism could be regarded as predictors for the evaluation of nurses’ psychological preparedness for disasters [ 74 ].…”

Coping strategies, optimism, and resilience factors associated with mental health outcomes among medical residents exposed to coronavirus disease 2019 in Qatar

“…A Swedish study among pediatric oncologists in 2009 showed that links were found between their level of optimism and experience, and their optimistic attitude was helpful for their resilience (Stenmarker et al., 2009). An Indian study among nurses performed during COVID‐19 pandemic indicated that psychological preparedness, self‐efficacy, resilience, and optimism were higher among the nursing faculty and administrators than the students, and it was explained by that the lack in these areas for the younger student might improve with age and work experience (Gandhi et al., 2020).…”

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