ABSTRACT
The COVID-19 pandemic is a highly infectious flu outbreak which spread rapidly around the world. COVID-19 outbreak caused panic and is predicted to increase the prevalence of mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety disorder. Along with increased anxiety and decreased mood increased fear has been detected. Purpose: To analyze the fear of COVID-19 related factors and measure the level of fear among women in Indonesia. This is a cross-sectional study with 242 women who was implemented using the fear of COVID-19 instrument. A convenience sample was utilized and was recruited via an online WhatsApp through personal text to the potential respondents. The respondents stated their agreement to participate on the Google form before proceeding to FLL in the data and answer the instrument items. The analysis was carried out to obtain the frequency distribution mean and P-value. The mean score of each instrument item and the overall items were calculated and compared based on demographic data using t-test for two variables and analysis of variance (ANOVA) for three or more variables. Furthermore, the scores obtained were categorized into low and high fear levels based on the overall mean where scores from 0-17were categorized as low-level fear and 18-35 as high-level fear. The results showed that 90.9% of the respondents were within the age range of 15–25 years with the majority being students. Based on the results of statistical tests it was discovered that question 3 (Q3) and question 4 (Q4) were the two items that affected the level of women’s fear to COVID-19. Furthermore, the results of statistical tests using Overshowed that occupation (P-Value of 0.01) and age (P-Value of 0.004) has significant effect on the fear of COVID-19. In addition, based on the overall score calculation showed that 72.3% samples have high-level fear and 27.7% has low-level fear. Based on the results of this study it was discovered that women’s age and occupation influence the level of fear to COVID-19. This study highlighted the significance of pandemic related fear and can inform the development of future women’s health studies.
ABSTRACT
Objective Mental health nurses (MHNs) have a long, under-recognised, history of engaging in psychotherapeutic practice across the spectrum of mental illness and mental health problems. There is a need for a psychotherapeutic response for people with complex or serious mental health problems within the stepped care model and in response to increased need for psychotherapeutic responses to COVID-19 and natural disasters. This project sought to identify the educational preparation and self-reported competency of MHNs to clinically undertake psychotherapy across the continuum of care. Methods Situated within a larger mixed-methods study exploring how MHNs practice psychotherapy, adapt it to routine care and envisage the future, this paper reports the findings from a survey of MHNs regarding their educational preparation, experience and competence in modalities of psychotherapy and the application of psychotherapy with specific clinical groups. Results In all, 153 MHNs responded to a request to participate in the study. In this cohort, 86% of nurses had postgraduate qualifications specific to psychotherapy and 95% had worked for over 10 years in the mental health field and had hundreds of hours of training in psychotherapy. There was a high level of self-reported competence in working with people with serious mental health problems and at-risk or vulnerable groups. Conclusions Currently, MHNs are not recognised in federal funding arrangements to procure psychotherapeutic intervention for members of the Australian population who require it. MHNs ought to be recognised as independent providers based on both the psychotherapeutic skills they possess and their specialist clinical skills of working with people across the spectrum of mental health problems. Appropriately qualified MHNs need to be funded to use their skills in psychotherapy via access to appropriate funding arrangements, such as Better Access and the National Disability Insurance Scheme. What is known about the topic? MHNs do not appear to be recognised as having postgraduate knowledge and skills in psychotherapy and other psychotherapeutic interventions. This lack of recognition has resulted in the Australian public being unable to access subsidised specialist psychotherapeutic services by this highly experienced group. Most published commentary has been around the Mental Health Nurse Incentive Program, but, to date, scholarly work related to this program has not influenced public views and policy formation despite multiple favourable evaluations. What does this paper add? This study highlights that MHNs possess a largely unrecognised and valuable skill set in psychotherapy practice that they can adapt to work with people with complex needs. What are the implications to practitioners? MHNs possess skills and experience that, if recognised and funded, could be rapidly mobilised to improve consumer outcomes across the continuum of stepped care and in response to increased need during COVID-19.