An Evaluation of a Narrative Expressive Writing Program for Nurses During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate a writing program targeted to reduce stress and improve resilience in nurses during the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19). BACKGROUND: Occupational hazards often result in poor mental health outcomes. The pandemic highlighted this problem. Because nurses face barriers to accessing support, brief interventions are needed to process stressful events. METHODS: Over 5 weeks, nurses across the United States detailed their COVID-19 experiences through narrative expressive writing. Trained mental health professionals provided confidential feedback. RESULTS: One thousand one hundred three nurses enrolled in the program, with 430 continuing to the 1st session. Approximately 36% who began the program completed all 5 sessions. Feedback suggested high satisfaction with their experience in the program, but no significant changes in perceived levels of stress or resilience were observed. CONCLUSION: Narrative expressive writing is an accessible intervention with the potential to decrease stress. This program is a flexible, personalized model that managers can offer to staff to promote healthy coping strategies.

Brief Narrative Writing Program Implemented in a Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has substantially affected health care professionals. Health care professionals have noted increased distress, psychiatric symptoms, and feelings of burnout during this time. Implementation of brief, easy-to-access psychosocial interventions might help health care professionals process stressful events, thus bolstering mental health. One such approach is the narrative expressive writing program, a 5-session cognitive behavioral writing intervention. OBJECTIVES: The narrative expressive writing program was instituted in a neurosurgical intensive care unit during the COVID-19 pandemic. The program was delivered online and guided by a licensed mental health professional. METHODS: Health care professionals completed measures of anxiety, depression, burnout, resilience, and perceived stress before and after completing the narrative expressive writing program. Fifty-eight health care professionals initiated the program; 31 (53% of initiators) completed it. RESULTS: Health care professionals who completed the narrative expressive writing program experienced significant reductions in depressive symptoms and perceived stress (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary data show that narrative expressive writing is an easy-to-access intervention that has the potential to decrease stress and depressive symptoms. Additional research on tailoring or augmenting the narrative expressive writing program may facilitate health care professionals' engagement and address other mental health domains (eg, burnout).