ABSTRACT
Background: Job stress is a psycho-social stress that is created as a result of harsh working conditions and effects individuals' performance and physical and mental health. In fact, many mental and psychological health problems are directly related to job stress. Stress at the workplace could even create disabilities in some cases. The nature of work at hospitals, especially operating rooms, generates a lot of stress and tension for the staff
Objectives: This study aimed at evaluating the effect of stress management on stress of operating room personnel, working at hospitals affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences
Methods: In this randomized controlled interventional study, 201 females were selected from 463 operating room nurses, who worked in educational hospitals affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, using block randomization and their basic job stress scores were measured. Then, from 87 nurses with job stress mean scores of > 150, 60 were selected using the table of random numbers and were divided into 2 groups of 30, using the RA software. The intervention group participated in 5 sessions of stress management training program, while the control group did not receive any intervention. Job stress score was evaluated in the 2 groups, two months after the intervention. The data were collected using demographic information and the Osipow job stress questionnaires. The data were then entered in the SPSS statistical software, version 18 and analyzed by descriptive and inferential methods [chi-square, independent t-test, and paired t-test]. P values of < 0.05 were considered statistically significant
Results: The results showed no significant differences between the 2 groups in terms of underlying variables [P > 0.05]. Also, no significant difference was found between the 2 groups regarding the mean score of total job stress before the intervention [P = 0.96]. However, significant differences were observed between the 2 groups concerning the dimensions of job stress, including incompetence of the role [0< 0.001], responsibility [0 < 0.001]
Conclusions: This study indicated that stress management training could reduce job stress among female nurses working in operating rooms. Therefore, stress management training in administrative, clinical, and educational areas seems to be necessary for operating room nurses
ABSTRACT
Adolescence is a sensitive period and psychological health during this period is of significant importance. Several studies suggest that self-esteem is a better predictor of success in studying than intelligence scores. Having assertiveness is considered important in having a high self-esteem. This study has been carried out in order to determine the influence of assertiveness training on self-esteem in high-school female students. In this semi-experimental study, two female schools with 751 students were selected randomly from one of the four education regions of Shiraz, Iran. All of the students were evaluated using Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory [CSEI] and Gambrill-Richey Assertion Inventory [GRAI]. Students who had a test score of less than 25.4 were identified students with low selfesteem. Among whom, those who possessed low assertiveness means, their test scores were less than 44, were also characterized. Finally, 60 students were selected and allocated to intervention and control groups. No training was conducted for the control group, but the case group undertook assertiveness training for a period of 4 weeks, 2 times a week for 90 minutes. The Coopersmith selfesteem and Gambrill-Richey Assertion Inventories were repeated after finishing 8 sessions. These tests were also repeated after 2 weeks to evaluate the rate of training continuity. T-test did not show a significant statistical difference between the mean and standard deviation of the scores of self-esteem and assertiveness before training among research samples between case and control groups [P = 0.30]. The mean scores of self-esteem and assertiveness of the experimental group had significant differences immediately [34.1 and 92.8, respectively] and after 2 weeks of training [32.2 and 93, respectively] comparing with before training and with control group [respectively, P = 0.035, P = 0.045]. Assertiveness of the control group did not show any significant statistical difference during the aforesaid three times [P > 0.05]. The obtained results indicate an increase in the rate of self-esteem and assertiveness after a period of assertiveness training among the case group. Actually, assertiveness training is significantly effective on the rate of assertiveness and self-esteem of students. In addition, results show that the influence of assertiveness training does not last for a short duration but its effect has remained as such after 2 weeks of training
ABSTRACT
Suicide is a major health problem accounting for 9% of all deaths. Thus, suicide prevention is of particular importance in high-risk groups. Taking care of the individuals who have committed suicide is also considered as a major problem for health professionals. In general, individuals' personality and attitude toward problems are involved in the incidence of suicide. Human personality is an integrated but complex phenomenon characterized by its extensiveness and large variety of concepts. The present study aimed to evaluate personality traits and coping styles among suicidal and non-suicidal individuals referring to the hospitals and health centers affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. In this cross-sectional study, 100 suicidal patients and 100 non-suicidal individuals [mean age: 27.21 years] were randomly selected and matched in terms of demographic variables. All the participants completed Neuroticism, Extraversion, Openness [NEO] personality questionnaire, Lazarus coping strategies questionnaire, and SCL-90-R. Then, the data were analyzed using T-test, chi-square test, and stepwise liner regression. The study results showed that the highest scores in the case and control groups were related to neuroticism [32.35 +/- 3.21] and conscientiousness [36.87 +/- 3.26], respectively [P<0.001]. The two groups were also compared with respect to the two main types of coping styles. In both coping styles, the mean scores of the control group were higher than those of the case group although the difference was only significant regarding the problem-focused coping style. The results revealed a significant relationship between coping styles and extroversion as well as nervousness. Nervousness and extraversion scores could predict the coping style. In addition, suicidal individuals obtained higher scores in nervousness and emotion-focused coping style compared to the control group