Risk factors for work-related stress, burnout and coping among nurses of University Hospitals

To investigate the extent of burnout among nurses and risk factors related to burnout; to ascertain which aspects of nursing work were related to burnout and to examine the relative contribution to burnout made by these different variables. This study included a total of 200 nurses working in the Medical and Surgical Wards, Sohag and Zagazig University Hospitals [100 nurses from each hospital]. Study tools included an interview questionnaire, the Staff Stress Inventory Checklist, the Burnout Potential Inventory and the Jalowic Coping Scale. Nurses stresses in Sohag and Zagazig University Hospitals were mainly in the form of physical stresses, mainly due to workloads. Total stress scores were significantly higher among nurses in Sohag University Hospital than those among nurses in Zagazig University Hospital [95.4 +/- 34.7 and 82.1 +/- 29.6, p=0.004]. Affective oriented coping was more than the problem-oriented coping [72.0 +/- 25.9 and 35.2 +/- 12.5, in Sohag vs. 64.4 +/- 22.5 and 3 1.6 +/- 10.9 in Zagazig]. Nurses in Sohag showed significantly higher scores for coping than those in Zagazig [107.2 +/- 38.2 and 96.0 +/- 33.4, respectively, p=0.028]. In both university hospitals, conflict and overload mean scores were high, while the mean scores of values conflict were the lowest score. Nurses in Sohag University Hospital sustained significantly higher conflict, poor teamwork and values conflict while those in Zagazig University Hospital sustained significantly higher punishment. Age, income, and years of experience in nursing had significantly negative correlation with stress scores and burnout and significantly positive correlation with coping scale. There is a positive significant correlation of stress with burnout in both Sohag and Zagazig [r=0.6283 and 0.7094, respectively, p<0.001] and negative significant correlation of coping with burnout [-0.4235 and -0.3760, respectively p<0.001]. Stress scores were significantly higher among nurses having Diploma with specialty than those with Diploma in nursing. Coping scores were higher among nurses having Diploma with specialty than those with Diploma in nursing. Nurses in university hospitals experience occupational stress. With less age, salary and years of experience in nursing, work-related stress becomes more perceived. Affective oriented coping strategies are resorted to more than the problem-oriented coping. Nurses in Sohag cope better than those in Zagazig. The hospital organization should monitor staff conflict and must ensure that workloads correspond to workers capabilities and resources. Training places more emphasis on preparing nurses to deal with the emotional needs of their patients, with detached concern. Stress inoculation training which teaches nurses appropriate coping skills could be implemented. Particularly vulnerable groups of nurses, such as those with Diploma with specialty, should be monitored regularly for signs of burnout. They should be the primary targets for ongoing training and/or preventative interventions such as stress inoculation training

Parent-adolescent conflict in Egypt and United Arab Emirates

This study aimed at exploring the frequency and intensity of parent-adolescent conflict within Egyptian families living in Egypt and those living in a Gulf country [Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates]. Two Arab countries were studied [Egypt and United Arab Emirates]. We examined everyday conflicts for the past 4 weeks between 400 Egyptian children in early adolescence [aged 10-15 years] and their parents [200 Egyptian adolescents living with their parents in Egypt and 200 Egyptian adolescents living with their parents in United Arab Emirates]. The frequency and intensity of conflicts were assessed using an Arabic translated version of the Parent Issues Checklist, which consists of a list of 44 items that can possibly lead to disagreements between parents and adolescents. Fighting with sibling ranked as the most frequent adolescent-parent conflict issue both in Egypt and UAE. Adolescent-parent conflict issues of highest intensity were using drugs, telephone calls and watching TV in Egypt compared with telephone calls and who friends should be and watching TV in UAE. Outcome of most adolescent-parent conflicts was mainly concession of adolescent to parents in Egypt [92%] and to a much lesser extent in UAE [56%]. Concession of parents was much more observed as an outcome for adolescent-parent conflicts in UAE [26%] than Egypt [6%]. A significant positive correlation between frequency of adolescent-parent conflict issues and income of family as well as age of the adolescent in both Egypt and UAE. A significant negative correlation is present between duration of attained education by parents and frequency of adolescent-parent conflict issues. It is to be noted that mother's length of education correlated negatively with frequency of conflict more than that of the father [r=-0.328 vs. -0.310 in Egypt and-0.347 vs. -0.305 in UAE]. Pattern of conflict is affected by socioeconomic status, age of parents and growth of the adolescent. Parents' education, especially maternal education is a favorable factor toward minimizing parent-adolescent conflict. Primary prevention efforts should focus on avoiding the identified reasons and patterns of dispute between parents and their adolescent children in addition to spreading an atmosphere of harmony within the family between parents and their children. This can be achieved through carrying out mental health educational programs. Mothers should actively participate in all these mental health educational programs

Screening for negative emotional syndromes among medical students in Upper Egypt

To assess anxiety and depression levels among medical students in Upper Egypt and to identify associated risk factors. The Arabic Version of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale [DASS] was used to screen for depression and anxiety among the 1200 medical students [300 from Beni Suef Faculty of Medicine and 900 from Sohag Faculty of Medicine]. Anxiety is more prevalent than depression among medical students in Upper Egypt. Depression was absent in almost four-fifths of medical students in Upper Egypt [83% in Beni Suef and 76.9% in Sohag]. Difference between medical students in both governorates was not statistically significant. Anxiety was absent in almost two-thirds of medical students in Upper Egypt [67% in Beni Suef and 63.8% in Sohag]. Difference between medical students in both governorates was not statistically significant. Grades of depression were significantly more prevalent among older medical students [p<0.001], females [p<0.001], students at the clinical stages [p<0.001], parental consanguinity [p=0.020] and medical students with positive family history of psychiatric disorder [p<0.001]. Grades of anxiety were significantly more prevalent among female medical students [p<0.001], parental consanguinity [p=0.017] and medical students with positive family history of psychiatric disorder [p=0.024]. Medical students are vulnerable to depression and anxiety. Older students, female sex, clinical studies, parental consanguinity and positive family history of psychiatric disorders constitute risk factors for depression while female gender, consanguinity and positive family history of psychiatric disorders constitute risk factors for anxiety. Psychological and psychiatric support for medical students is a well-established need that should be met. The process of medical education should be analyzed to recognize sources of stress that should be dealt with accordingly. This study should be replicated on other university students to identify the impact of other types of university education on the mental health of students

Patterns of coping among Egyptian rheumatoid arthritis patients

This study aimed to identify different stressors perceived by rheumatoid arthritis [RA] patients and to describe their strategies for coping. Study tools included a sociodemographic data questionnaire, related stressor checklist and the Jalowiec coping scale. The study concluded that psychiatrists can evaluate stressors and psychological precipitants, which will help patients to cope and adapt. Teaching of coping strategies will increase the patients' ability to handle the pain and enhance the psychological wellbeing

Epidemiology and risk factors of substance use disorders among universty students in Upper Egypt

This study aimed to identify the substances abused by university students in Upper Egypt, recognizing the risk factors for substance use among Upper Egyptian university students and exploring reasons for initiating the substance abuse. The study comprised 1780 students in three nonmedical faculties belonging to South Valley University [Arts, Education and Commerce]. The diagnosis of "substance use disorders" was based on the definition of DSM-IV. The study tools included a study questionnaire and the socioeconomic class assessment sheet. The study concluded that substance abuse is a serious problem affecting university students in Upper Egypt, especially males. Cannabis as well as sedatives/hypnotics/anxiolytics and opioids are the most frequently abused illicit substances. Smoking is a highly significant risk factor for illicit substance abuse. Mass media and friends constitute the main source for information about the psychoactive substances. The improper family integrity is a major factor leading to illicit substance abuse

Site of lesion in stroke and its relation to depression

A total of 174 patients [103 males and 71 females] suffering from acute stroke was recruited for this study. All patients were subjected to complete and thorough neurological history and examination on admission, mini-mental state examination [MMSE], CT scanning of the brain within 72 hours after the onset of stroke and Barthel daily living test to compare the physical disability before stroke with that at the time of neurological examination. Six months after the stroke, the patients underwent complete and thorough psychiatric evaluation according to DSM-IV, Barthel daily living test and Beck Depression Inventory. Sixty-two patients met the DSM-IV criteria for depressive disorder. Three significant correlates for post-stroke depression were identified; namely, female gender, severity of disability and volume of lesion. Left hemisphere lesions were significantly more associated with post-stroke depression than right hemisphere lesions. Within the left hemisphere, anterior lesions were significantly more associated with post-stroke depression than the posterior ones