Humanities and Social Science Research

Targeting Burnout and Emotional State in Nurses within a Mental Health Care Setting: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Josianne Scerri — 2022-12-27

Nurse burnout is a widespread phenomenon that may impact their quality of life, work efficacy and organisational commitment. Hence, the need for interventions that enhance nurse well-being, and which target the needs and concerns of professionals working in a complex and dynamic context. The aim of this study is to examine the effectiveness of an intensive intervention for nurses providing care to persons with mental illnesses. A quasi-experimental study was conducted with 120 nurses. Sixty-eight nurses received the intervention, and fifty- two nurses were in the control group. The intervention incorporated sessions on: (i) critical and creative thinking; (ii) mindfulness; (iii) legal issues; (iv) documentation and (v) expressive arts. Participants completed the Maslach Burnout Inventory and the DASS-21 at pre- and post- test. The single day intervention was repeated for 4 consecutive times. Data were analysed using the Pearson’s chi square test, Wilcoxon sign test, Mann–Whitney U test, Spearman’s rank order correlation and a general linear model. Significant decreases in burnout-depersonalisation, stress and anxiety were identified post intervention. Stress, personal accomplishment (burnout), gender and age-group were predictors of the burnout domain- depersonalisation. Interventions incorporating critical and creative thinking and legal issues in addition to cognitive and expressive art sessions, are efficacious in reducing burnout, anxiety, and stress in nurses.

Post-Traumatic Growth after Cancer: A Thematic Analysis Study

Michael Galea — 2023-02-20

Background: That a diagnosis of, and treatment to cancer brings along shock, distress and possible long-term negative life changes is very clear from human experience and research alike. But such an experience can also relate to positive life changes, as increasing research on the aftermath of serious illness, such as cancer diagnosis consistently shows. Observations of positive outcomes linked to quality of life are increasingly being found in cancer studies. These results seem to converge with post-traumatic growth (PTG) which emphasize positive life changes as resulting from considerable life-changing events that are borne from crises or trauma.

Objectives: Aims to this study were to 1) investigate the holistic impact and ramifications of PTG on the recovery from serious illness such as cancer; 2) clarify the relationship, if any, of PTG with mental health outcomes; and 3) how is PTG strengthened or otherwise, when one is faced by such life-changing event.

Methods: Using a Thematic Analysis design, we investigated how the diagnosis of, and treatment to cancer impacted the patients and survivors. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with people who had received treatment for breast (n=3), MSS (n=1), ovarian (n=2), bone (n=2), H. Lymphoma (n=1), Liver (n=1). Using descriptive mapping, we clarified whether this study results are consistent with Tedeschi and Calhoun’s PTG framework.

Results: Findings charted on the key factors of PTG.

Conclusions: Cancer results in varied consequences and in negative and positive adjustments. Further development of findings which charted on major PTG dimensions is warranted.

Mental Health’s Address to the Challenging Cultural Reality of Malta

Michael Galea — 2023-03-21

Appreciation of society as being the whole made up of so many different parts in terms of groups with various interests, skills and needs is what cultural diversity is about. Culture is defined as the distinctive customs, values, beliefs, knowledge, art and language of a society.

Multiculturalism has always been embedded with the Maltese reality. However, a steep increase in the country’s population since 2011 may be presenting new realities that can translate into hefty and challenging demands. This review therefore presents the following research-based evidence on how mental health can address this phenomenon, particularly in the case of Malta and similar small countries. In particular, the following aspects were highlighted, namely: cultural safety, holistic health services, multicultural awareness, sensitive lingual expression, community integrity and cultural partnership. Practical recommendations are presented.