Stress, sources of stress and ways of coping among psychiatric nursing students

This study measured levels of distress, sources of stress and ways of coping of a convenience sample of psychiatric nursing students (n = 35). Instruments used were the 30-item General Health Questionnaire, the Jones and Johnson (1997) Student Nurse Stress Index, Parkes (1985) Ways of Coping Questionnaire and a demographic questionnaire. Findings revealed that all students were significantly distressed, exceeding a conventional cut-off score of 5 on the 30-item General Health Questionnaire. Students were found to have limited coping skills. Preparing to become a nurse in this setting was found to be significantly emotionally stressful and a possible risk to the well-being of students. This study provides a baseline from which to address the problem of stress among diplomate psychiatric nursing students.