Relationships Between Post-Traumatic Stress, Self-Compassion, Sleep, Anxiety, Depressive Symptoms, and Intensive Care
Cindy Tofthagen1, Sherry Chesak, Cathy Mielke
1Author Affiliations: Nurse Scientist (Dr Tofthagen), Manager, Clinical Nurse Specialist (Mielke), Social Worker (Foster), Department of Nursing, Psychiatrist (Dr Lubrano), Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, Nurse Scientist (Dr Chesak, Dr Lindroth), Department of Nursing, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, Affiliate Scientist (Dr Lindroth), Center for Health Innovation and Implementation Science, School of Medicine, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, Affiliate Scientist (Dr Lindroth), Center for Aging Research, Regenstrief Institute, School of Medicine, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, Clinical Professor Director, Center for Flourishing Health Care Communities (Dr Chesak), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Objective:
The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence and severity of post-traumatic stress (PTS) symptoms among intensive care unit (ICU) nurses and examine correlations with other psychological outcomes. A secondary purpose was to assess the feasibility of an evidence-based treatment for PTS in this population.
Background:
PTS may contribute to psychological distress, trouble sleeping, and high turnover.
Methods:
ICU nurses completed measures of PTS, self-compassion, anxiety symptoms, insomnia, and depressive symptoms. Participants with high levels of PTS were offered a trauma intervention.
Results:
PTS, depression, anxiety, and insomnia were present in 28% to 41% of participants. High PTS symptoms were correlated with high anxiety (r=0.476, P=0.011) and depression (r=0.416, P=0.018). High depressive symptoms correlated with high anxiety (P=0.422, P=0.023), PTS (r=0.416, P=0.018), insomnia (r=0.562, P=0.001), and the likelihood of leaving their position or the profession of nursing (r=0.485, P=0.008). None of the 11 participants who were offered the intervention accepted it.
Conclusions:
Interventions to address PTS are needed in ICU settings; however, barriers to acceptance must be addressed. ICU nurses should be involved in all phases of intervention development, implementation, and evaluation.
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