Stress Management Interventions for Nurses: Critical Literature Review

Abstract

Background: The nursing literature contains numerous studies on stress management interventions for nurses, but their overall levels of evidence remain unclear. Holistic nurses use best-available evidence to guide practice with self-care interventions. Ongoing discovery of knowledge, dissemination of research findings, and evidence-based practice are the foundation of specialized practice in holistic nursing. This literature review aimed to identify the current level of evidence for stress management interventions for nurses. Method: A systematic search and review of the literature was used to summarize existing research related to stress management interventions for nurses and recommend directions for future research and practice. Results: Ninety articles met the inclusion criteria for this study and were categorized and analyzed for scientific rigor. Various stress management interventions for nurses have been investigated, most of which are aimed at treatment of the individual versus the environment. Contemporary studies only moderately meet the identified standards of research design. Issues identified include lack of randomized controlled trials, little use of common measurement instruments across studies, and paucity of investigations regarding organizational strategies to reduce nurses’ stress. Conclusion: Future research is indicated to include well-designed randomized controlled trials, standardized measurement tools, and more emphasis on interventions aimed at the environment.

Effect of a Multistage Educational Skill-Based Program on Nurse’s Stress and Anxiety in the Intensive Care Setting: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Majority of these interventions are psychological-based. Use of individualized stress management programs, training relaxation techniques as well as mindfulness and meditation, and using humor, cognitive modifications, and self-relaxation biofeedback are some examples of such interventions with different effectiveness [ 20 ].…”

Validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the General Work Stress Scale

“…(2019) found prevalence rates of depression, anxiety and stress were 32.4%, 41.2% and 41.2%, respectively, among nurses. Pretty high nurse turnover rates have been reported globally, particularly in New Zealand (44.3%), the United States (26.8%), Canada (19.9%) and Australia (15.1%), with turnover costs estimated to range from $20,561 to $48,790 per nurse across these countries (Chesak et al., 2019).…”

“…Stress in the workplace has a negative effect on nursing well‐being outcomes (Farquharson et al., 2013; Tab ak & Orit, 2007; Teo et al., 2013). Workplace stress may lead to psychosomatic disorders, anxiety, anger, headaches, insomnia, frustration, depression, dizziness, eating disorder, migraines, muscle aches and chronic fatigue among nurses (Alkhawaldeh et al., 2020; Chen et al., 2016; Chesak et al., 2019; Cox et al., 1996; King et al., 2009; Liu & Aungsuroch, 2019; Maharaj et al., 2019). Additionally, high levels of stress may lead to or exacerbate maladaptive behaviours, such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, substance abuse and over‐ or under‐eating (Maharaj et al., 2019).…”

“…Workplace stress may have adverse effects on nurses' physical and psychological health, as well as on the hospitals for which they work and the society (Happell et al., 2013). Nurses' occupational stress can be significant enough to harm patient safety associated with patient errors (Chesak et al., 2019; Saquib et al., 2019). Work stress has a negative effect on quality of patient care and a positive effect on accidents (Chesak et al., 2019; Tab ak & Orit, 2007).…”

Nurse Stress Scale (NSS): Reliability and validity of the Turkish version

“…23 The current national and international studies specific to stress in nurses report that the stress experienced in the nursing profession with human contact is intense 20,24 ; it decreases job satisfaction, it causes fatigue, burnout and depression and stress-related diseases 25,26 ; and it is necessary to take measures quickly by determining the level of stress regardless of the unit the nurses work. [27][28][29] Since nursing is a unique profession and has different aspects from other disciplines, the stress experienced should be evaluated more comprehensively and in detail. For these reasons, it is thought that the nursing stress scale, in which only nursing-specific stress is evaluated and whose validity and reliability was performed by Gray-Toft and Anderson, 2 is of great importance.…”