Effectiveness of Positive Psychological Intervention on Resilience Improvement in Nurses

Effectiveness of Positive Psychological Intervention on Resilience Improvement in Nurses: A Randomised Controlled Trial

The nursing profession, comprising over 27.9 million individuals and representing 59% of the health sector, plays a critical role in frontline healthcare globally. However, nurses face significant workplace stress due to factors like high mortality rates and ethical dilemmas, which can negatively impact their mental health. Resilience has emerged as a crucial concept in mitigating workplace stress and protecting nurses' psychological well-being. Studies show a negative correlation between stress and resilience, with higher resilience linked to better psychological outcomes and lower rates of burnout. Resilience, a dynamic process of positive adaptation to stress, can be enhanced through interventions like positive psychology, which focuses on developing traits such as perseverance, interpersonal skills, and emotional stability. These interventions have been shown to reduce burnout, improve job satisfaction, and potentially enhance patient care, making them vital in addressing the unique challenges nurses face.

Gap of Knowledge:

Although existing research has demonstrated the effectiveness of positive psychology interventions in reducing depression, anxiety, burnout, and stress among healthcare workers, including nurses, there is a need for more targeted randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that specifically address the unique stressors and work environments of nurses. Furthermore, the long-term effects of these interventions on nurses' resilience, stress, burnout, and job satisfaction require further exploration through well-designed RCTs.

Research Aims and Hypothesis:

The present study aims to

1. evaluate whether a positive psychology intervention, based on evidence-based activities from several positive psychology theories, can improve resilience in nurses, and
2. assess whether this intervention can also enhance stress levels, reduce burnout, and improve job satisfaction among nurses.

The hypotheses are:

1. the positive psychology intervention will improve nurses' resilience;
2. the intervention will positively impact stress, burnout, and job satisfaction; and
3. it will be more effective for nurses with low resilience in improving these outcomes.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. registered nurses working in clinical settings
2. minimum of one year of work experience as a nurse
3. availability to participate in the intervention and follow-up assessments.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Recent exposure to severe illness, trauma, or major life events in the past three months,
2. having suffered a major traumatic event in the past 6 months,
3. currently undergoing other forms of psychological treatment or counseling.