The mediating role of loneliness in the effect of physical activity barriers on quality of life.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to examine the mediating role of loneliness in the effect of physical activity barriers on quality of life. METHODS: The sample of the study consisted of 374 people over the age of 65 who applied to a hospital. The data collection tools used in the study are 'Personal Information Form', 'Physical Activity Barriers Questionnaire' 'World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument-Older Adults Module' and 'Loneliness Scale for the Elderly'. The mediating effect analysis was conducted through the 'Process Macro' developed by Hayes. RESULTS: According to the obtained results, loneliness mediates the relationship between physical activity barriers and quality of life. Individuals with high levels of loneliness and physical activity barriers have lower levels of quality of life. When the results of the regression analysis indicating the mediating effect were analyzed, it was determined that the effect of physical activity barriers on quality of life were negative and significant. As the level of physical activity barriers increases, the level of quality of life decreases. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, it was determined that loneliness plays a mediating role in the relationship between physical activity barriers and the level of quality of life. The study results suggest that adopting a physically active lifestyle is important to reduce adverse health outcomes in the elderly.

The pediatric provider communication skills assessment scale.

PROBLEM: Building rapport and trust between healthcare professional and patient/parents would improve satisfaction of patient/parents. The purpose of this study was to develop "The Pediatric Provider Communication Skills Assessment Scale" in this study. METHODS: A trial form, with linguistic and psychometric validation and consisting of 44 statements, was administered to a sample of 325 individuals. Data were collected between January 20 and October 22, 2021. The validity of the scale was concluded after examining its construct validity and internal validity. "Exploratory factor analysis" was used for determining construct validity, and "comparison of lower-upper groups" for internal validity. "Cronbach's α reliability coefficient" and "split half test consistency coefficient" were calculated for testing the reliability of the scale. FINDINGS: The Pediatric Provider Communication Skills Assessment Scale that we developed consists of one dimension and 20 items, and the variance it can explain was calculated as 62.3%. The Cronbach α reliability coefficient of the scale was calculated as 0.90, indicating high reliability. CONCLUSIONS: According to the findings, "The Pediatric Provider Communication Skills Assessment Scale" is a scale with features that can measure in a valid and reliable way, with high variance and a low number of items. The study aims to develop the "The Pediatric Provider Communication Skills Assessment Scale," and present it to the literature as a validated and reliable new objective measurement tool. This study will enable us to understand more about the complex communication processes involved in pediatric care and how these may influence care delivery.

Nursing students' views on trauma-informed pediatric nursing care and family-centered care.

PURPOSE: We studied the views of nursing students on family-centered care (FCC) and their knowledge, opinions, self-rated competence, current practice, and perceived implementation barriers with regard to trauma-informed pediatric nursing care. METHODS: This survey was a descriptive correlational study. The sample consisted of 261 nursing students, 3rd and 4th years, who had completed the Child Health and Diseases Nursing Course. The data were obtained using the "Student Information Form," "Family-Centered Care Attitude Scale," and "trauma-informed care (TIC) Provider Survey." RESULTS: Nursing students were knowledgeable and held favorable opinions about TIC. The survey showed that students with higher levels and those with a hospitalization experience during childhood had higher scores regarding TIC. A positive relationship was found between the students' TIC to mean score and FCC attitude mean score. CONCLUSIONS: Nursing students are not competent to practice TIC, especially with pediatric patients. Therefore, they need to develop relevant skills for helping pediatric patients. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Efforts to improve nursing students' trauma-informed pediatric care should highlight specific skills related to helping pediatric patients manage emotional responses to difficult medical experiences. By integrating TIC into the baccalaureate curricula, nursing educators can provide the students with appropriate skills and facilities so that they can provide holistic and highly effective care to highly vulnerable patients.

Evaluation of factors strongly associated with nomophobia using structural equation modelling: A cross-sectional study.

AIMS: Netlessphobia (fear of being without the Internet) and nomophobia (fear of being without a smartphone/mobile phone) causes anxiety, discomfort, distress or nervousness during non-use of phones. Past studies assessing factors associated with nomophobia have not reported consistent results, and some uncertainties persist. Moreover, only a few studies have measured nomophobia among the general population, and no study has evaluated nomophobia and netlessphobia together. This cross-sectional study determined the factors strongly associated with nomophobia, with an intent toward reducing nomophobia-related negative consequences. METHODS: The study sample included 523 individuals. 'Demographic Characteristics Form', 'Firat Nomophobia Scale' and 'Firat Netlessphobia Scale' were used as data collection tools. The collected data were analysed using SPSS 26 and AMOS 23. Structural equation modelling was used for predicting factors associated with nomophobia, and the goodness-of-fit values of this model were investigated. RESULTS: The variables netlessphobia, age, gender, marital status, education level, average time of daily use and average number of daily checks of smart devices were included in the estimated baseline model of the study. Among the independent variables with significant standardised regression coefficients in the model, the effect of 'netlessphobia' (91 %) was quite high. The effect of age variable, which was a significant contributor to netlessphobia in the model, was 15 %. CONCLUSION: Netlessphobia and age are the factors that are strongly associated with nomophobia.

Experiences and Practices of Nurses Providing Palliative and End-of-Life Care to Oncology Patients: A Phenomenological Study.

AIM: The objective of this study was to describe the experiences and practices of nurses who provide palliative and end-of-life care to oncology patients, to determine the difficulties they encounter in this regard, and to determine how they cope with it. METHOD: Data were collected between December 10 and 27, 2022, at a hospital's palliative care clinic. The descriptive phenomenological approach, which is a qualitative research method, was used in this study. The sample of the study consisted of 12 nurses who provided palliative and end-of-life care to oncology patients in a city hospital. The research data were collected with the nurse descriptive form and a semi-structured interview form. Descriptive statistics and the thematic content analysis method were used in the analysis of the data. RESULTS: The themes that emerged as a result of the interviews with nurses who provided palliative and end-of-life care to oncology patients in palliative units were "various learning experiences," "responsibilities in caregiving," "nursing care practices," "personal motivation sources for nurses," "difficulties," and "experience in coping with difficulties." CONCLUSION: In this study, it was determined that nurses who provide palliative and end-of-life care to oncology patients are exposed to some difficulties as a result of their professional experience, that, in addition, they had various learning experiences, and that their coping skills were team cohesion and training. In line with the results of the study, it is recommended to structure palliative in-service training after graduation, to arrange for palliative care centers, and to consider the problems experienced in determining the needs.

The mediating effect of Covid-19 risk perception on the correlation between levels of mindfulness and preventive health behavior in nursing students.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate nursing students' levels of mindfulness and its effect on developing preventive health behaviors, and to examine the mediating role of COVID-19 risk perception on this effect. DESIGN AND MEASURES: This study used a descriptive and correlational study design. RESULTS: The level of mindfulness, accompanied by COVID-19 risk perception caused a.104-unit increase in developing preventive health behavior. CONCLUSIONS: The findings revealed that the indirect effect of the level of mindfulness on developing preventive health behavior was at a significant level; therefore, it is concluded that COVID-19 risk perception mediates the correlation between level of mindfulness. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The present study is important to investigate nursing students' levels of mindfulness and the effect of these on developing preventive health behaviors.

The Mediating Effect of Social Anxiety on the Relationship Between Internet Addiction and Aggression in Teenagers.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of "internet addiction level" on "aggression level" among teenagers and to examine the mediating role of "social anxiety level" on this effect. The study participants consisted of 958 students attending private teaching institutions for university preparation in Turkey. Data was collected from voluntary participants through data collection forms delivered to the management of these institutions. "Sociodemographic Characteristics Questionnaire Form", "Young's Internet Addiction Test", "Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire" and "Social Anxiety Scale" were used as data collection tools. A regression analysis based on the bootstrap method was implemented to test whether "social anxiety level" had a mediating role on the influence of students' "internet addiction level" on "aggression level". According to the findings, it was determined that the indirect effect of "internet addiction" on "aggression" was significant, and therefore, "social anxiety level" mediated the relationship between "internet addiction" and "aggression".

Developing Firat Nomophobia Scale and investigating its psychometric properties.

OBJECTIVE: We analyzed the nomophobia concept to develop the "Firat Nomophobia Scale" to determine the level of nomophobia in individuals aged 15-65 years. DESIGN AND MEASURES: A linguistically and psychometrically validated trial form consisting of 13 statements was applied to a sample of 678 individuals (69% women). RESULTS: The "Nomophobia Scale" that we developed consisted of a single dimension and eight items, explicating 55.9% of the variance concerning nomophobia. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the Firat Nomophobia Scale is an economical scale with a low number of items and high variance. In addition, it provides valid and reliable measurements. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The present study signifies the importance of research on nomophobia and determining the risk groups and protection strategies.

Development of Firat Netlessphobia Scale and investigation of its psychometric properties.

PURPOSE: The present study aimed to determine the level of Netlessphobia in the general population by developing the "Firat Netlessphobia Scale." DESIGN AND MEASURES: Trial form consisting of 19 items, which was tested in terms of language and psychometric validity, was applied to a sample group of 690 people. The reliability of the scale was verified by evaluating Cronbach's α reliability coefficient and test-retest consistency. RESULTS: The developed "Firat Netlessphobia Scale" can account for 60.7% of the variance related to Netlessphobia. Cronbach's α reliability coefficient of the scale was calculated as 0.93. CONCLUSIONS: According to the findings, the Firat Netlessphobia Scale is a cost-effective scale that facilitates the valid and reliable estimation of high variance and a low number of items. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: This practical and cost-effective scale is widely applied owing to its small number of items and short expressions. The present study emphasizes the importance of exploring Netlessphobia and the need for future research in this area to recognize the risk groups and establish protection strategies.

Analysis of mental health symptoms and insomnia levels of intensive care nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic with a structural equation model.

BACKGROUND: Faced with this critical situation and directly involved in the treatment and care of COVID-19 patients, front-line healthcare workers are at high risk in terms of mental health symptoms. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To determine the stress, anxiety, depression, and insomnia levels of intensive care nurses during the pandemic with a structural equation model. DESIGN: A multi-site survey study. METHODS: The study was performed with 194 nurses working in the intensive care units of five hospitals in Istanbul in July 2020. Data were collected using the Depression Anxiety Stress-21 Scale and Insomnia Severity Index electronically. The data were evaluated with descriptive statistics in SPSS package program. In order to test the structural model and hypotheses of the research, path analysis was performed with LISREL statistical software program. A validation study for the suitability of these scales to the study sample was done by the researchers using the confirmatory factor analysis method. The study conforms to the TREND checklist. RESULTS: In this study, the majority of the intensive care nurses had moderate to extremely severe depression (65.5%), anxiety (58.3%) and stress (72.3%) scores; in addition, 39.7% of the nurses experienced moderate or severe insomnia. Within the framework of a structural model; the effects of stress, anxiety and insomnia on depression, which is the dependent variable, were found to be statistically significant (p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: It was found that the majority of the intensive care nurses fighting COVID-19 on the front-line experienced stress, anxiety, depression and insomnia at levels ranging from moderate to extremely severe; in addition, it was determined that there is a positive relationship between stress, anxiety, insomnia and depression. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: This study, in which we have determined the mental health symptoms and insomnia levels of intensive care nurses, who are in the front-line during the COVID-19 pandemic, constitutes the scientific basis for the effective coping strategies that the authorities will take in this subject.

Validity and reliability of the Family Empowerment Scale for parents of children with cleft lip and/or palate.

BACKGROUND: Empowerment is recognized as a crucial concept in strengthening the position of parents in healthcare services. This study aimed to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Turkish Family Empowerment Scale (FES). METHODS: This methodological study was conducted between January and March 2021, with 348 family members actively caring for their children in the age group of 0-18 years with cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P). The English FES was translated into Turkish using back translation and modified so that it is generic and convenient for all families. The construct validity, internal validity, internal consistency, and split-half test reliability and responsiveness of the Turkish FES were examined. RESULTS: The original FES structure with three factors (family, health services provided to the child and community participation) and 34 items was verified in Turkish culture. This obtained structure can explain 66% of the variance of the relevant concept. Scores of parents ranged between 34 and 170 points. Increasing scores indicated a positive significance regarding family empowerment. The Cronbach's α reliability coefficient of the scale was calculated as 0.976. CONCLUSION: The study findings and the goodness-of-fit values indicated that the FES and its Turkish version are a valid and reliable measurement instrument to be used in Turkish culture.

The Prevalence of Pandemic Anxiety, Anxiety and Depression During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Turkey.

Background: This prevalence study involved participants from various cities in Turkey was conducted in April 2020, during the coronavirus pandemic in Turkey, with a view to evaluate the pandemic-related anxiety, generalized anxiety, and depression in the society. Method: The study was conducted with 1267 people in more than 70 cities in Turkey. The study data were obtained by means of online data collection forms, due to the risks posed by the contagious COVID-19 disease in face to face interviews. The Demographic Properties Form, the Utkan Pandemic Anxiety (UPA) scale, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) scale, and the Beck Depression Inventory for Primary Care (BDI-PC) were utilized as data collection tools. Results: The average value for the UPA scale for the sample was calculated as 10.5 ± 0.257 points, for the GAD-7 scale as 5.5 ± 0.153 points, and for the BDI-PC as 3.8 ± 0.095 points. The cut-off threshold for the UPA scale was exceeded by 34%, for the GAD-7 scale by 25.7%, and for the BDI-PC by 30.9% of the sample. Conclusion: It was concluded that the level of pandemic-related anxiety in the community was high, that the level of generalized anxiety and depression had increased in comparison to pre-pandemic times, and that women had a higher risk of pandemic-related anxiety, generalized anxiety, and depression, because they were a group at risk, and also due to the effect of media surveillance and reports.

How does reimbursement status affect smoking cessation interventions? A real-life experience from the Eastern Black Sea region of Turkey.

INTRODUCTION: In the last decade, outpatient smoking cessation clinics (SCCs) in Turkey have been extended countrywide. Initially, only counseling was covered under health insurance. In 2011 and 2015, free varenicline and bupropion preparations were distributed to SCCs, periodically. In the current study we aimed to compare outcomes between the free and paid medication periods. METHODS: Patients applied to the local SCC in a secondary health care unit between June 2014 and June 2017. They were evaluated for SC interventions and had phone visits after their third month; these records were included in the study. Patients were grouped and evaluated according to medication's reimbursement status: free medication period (FP) and paid medication period (PMP). RESULTS: In total, 733 patients applied to the SCC, 77.7% of them had applied during the FP. Analyses were made involving 417 patients who had records of third-month phone visit. Mean age of the patients was 44.0±13.7 years with the majority of patients (65%) being male. Sociodemographic characteristics of patients in both groups were not statistically different, while the percentage of patients with comorbid diseases was lower in the FP group (p<0.05). Treatment choices were different- the bupropion-prescribed group's rate was similar in both periods (53.5% in PMP vs 52.0% in FP), however varenicline was mostly prescribed in the FP (35.8% vs 14.1%) while nicotine replacement therapy was mostly prescribed in the PMP (32.4% vs 12.1%) (p<0.05). Patients who used the advised treatment for at least 30 days (treatment adherent) and the rate of quitters at the third month were higher in FP (p<0.05) from univariate analysis, however these differences were not statistically significant when a multivariate analysis was performed. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that the free medication period increased the quit attempts but the increased in treatment adherence and quit success of the participating smokers was not obvious.

Corrigendum: How does reimbursement status affect smoking cessation interventions? A real-life experience from the Eastern Black Sea region of Turkey.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.18332/tid/100412.].

Prevalence and determinants of smoking status among university students: Artvin Çoruh University sample.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Smoking is still a public health concern in many countries, especially among young adults. Consequently, we determined what factors affect university students' smoking behavior in Turkey. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted between March and June 2017 using a simple random sampling method. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect information on participants' (N = 2,505; mean age = 20.9 ± 2.5 years; 58.9% women) sociodemographic characteristics, cigarette smoking status, and related risk factors. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed with the Backward likelihood-ratio method. RESULTS: Students were completing either two- or four-year degrees (45.6% and 54.4%, respectively). Regarding familial smoking behavior, 36.1% had a father who smoked, 10.3% had a mother who smoked, and 15.0% had siblings who smoked. Among participants, 27.9% were current smokers: 46% of the men and 15.3% of the women. Mean smoking onset age was 16.34 ± 2.72 years (15.65 ± 2.67 years for men and 16.34 ± 2.72 for women (p < .05). Mean Fagerströmtest score was 4.43 ± 1.82, and women had lower test scores than did men (p < .05). After controlling for potential confounders in multivariate analyses, five factors were significantly positively associated with current smoking: being a man (odds ratio (OR): 3.43; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.75-4.28), studying in a two-year program (OR: 1.74; 95% CI: 1.39-2.18), having at least one immediate family member who smoked (OR: 1.63; 95% CI: 1.31-2.04), having all close friends who smoked (OR: 1.81; 95% CI: 1.40-2.33), and alcohol consumption (OR: 4.39; 95% CI: 3.51-5.49). CONCLUSION: There was a higher smoking rate among our study population, both compared to similar national studies and Turkey's overall smoking rate. Underlying factors should be evaluated via qualitative studies and preventive strategies should be implemented accordingly.

The Effects of Hesperidin and Quercetin on Serum Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha and Interleukin-6 Levels in Streptozotocin-induced Diabetes Model.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder that occurs as a result of absolute or relative insufficiency of insulin release and/or insulin effect due to impairment of carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism, and it is characterized by hyperglycemia and leads to various complications. OBJECTIVE: In this study, it was aimed to investigate the effects of hesperidin (HP) and quercetin, which are natural flavonoids, on serum malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels in rats with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The experimental animals were divided into four groups, each group comprising ten rats designated as follows: Group 1 served as control rats (C); Group 2 served as diabetic rats (DM); Group 3 served as diabetic rats administered HP (DM + HP) (100 mg/kg b. w.); and Group 4 served as diabetic rats administered quercetin (DM + Q) (100 mg/kg b. w.). RESULTS: Serum MDA and GSH levels were significantly higher in STZ-induced DM group than control group (P < 0.05). In DM + HP and DM + Q groups, MDA levels were significantly decreased compared to DM groups (P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference GSH levels between DM, DM + HP, and DM + Q groups (P > 0.05). TNF-α levels in STZ-induced DM group were significantly decreased compared to control group (P < 0.05), and groups of DM + HP and DM + Q had higher serum TNF-α levels than STZ-induced DM group (P < 0.05). In STZ-induced DM group, serum IL-6 levels were decreased compared to control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: As a result, in this study, we determined that HP and quercetin may play an effective role in regulating insulin metabolism metabolism in diabetes. However, considering the incompatibility of various results in the literature as well as our own results, we think that the actual role of cytokines in the pathogenesis of diabetes is one of the issues that need to be clarified in further studies. SUMMARY: Hesperidin (HP) and quercetin reduced the insulin, total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and malondialdehyde (MDA) serum levels and raised the glutathione (GSH) levels compared to diabetes mellitus (DM) groupSZT-induced DM increased the MDA serum levels and decreased the GSH levels compared to control groupHP and quercetin-treated rats showed higher interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha cytokine levels than DM groupHP and quercetin may play an effective role in regulating insulin metabolism in diabetes. Abbreviations used: DM: Diabetes mellitus, MDA: Malondialdehyde, GSH: Glutathione; IL-6: Interleukin-6, TNF-α: Tumor necrosis factor alpha, HP: Hesperidin, Q; Quercetin, STZ: Streptozotocin, TC: Total cholesterol, TG: Triglyceride, HDL-C: High density lipoprotein cholesterol, LDL-C: Low density lipoprotein cholesterol, VLDL-C: Very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol.

Factors associated with current smoking in COPD patients:A cross-sectional study from the Eastern Black Sea region of Turkey.

INTRODUCTION: Even though smoking is a major reason for the development and progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)-and quitting smoking is the only way to stop its progression-a significant number of smokers still continue to smoke after being diagnosed with COPD. The aim of this study is to compare the clinical and demographic characteristics of COPD patients who are current and former smokers and to find factors associated with their current smoking status. METHODS: For this study, data were collected between June 2015 and August 2016; COPD patients who had been regularly visiting Hopa State Hospital's outpatient clinic over the last year or longer were included. Their demographic, clinical and functional data were recorded. Patients completed a pulmonary function test, six-minute walk test (6-MWT), COPD assessment test (CAT), and modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea scale. Comparisons were then made according to their smoking status. RESULTS: In total 100 patients were included in the study; with a mean age of 63.4±10.7 years and mostly males (94%). Regarding smoking status, 49% were current smokers and 51% were former smokers. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that current smoking was negatively associated with age (odds ratio, OR=0.93, 95% confidence interval, CI=0.88-0.96) and Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) stage (OR=0.32, 95% CI=0.13- 0.79), and was positively associated with six-minute walk distance (OR =1.005, 95% CI=1.001-1.009) and CAT score (OR=1.07, 95% CI=1.009-1.13). CONCLUSIONS: Nearly half of the COPD patients in the study continued smoking even after having been diagnosed with COPD. The younger patients, with better lung function, better exercise capacity and poor quality of life were associated with current smoking.

Treatment adherence and short-term outcomes of smoking cessation outpatient clinic patients.

INTRODUCTION: Previous studies have shown that adherence to treatment is fundamental to success in smoking cessation. However, smoking cessation medication regimens are limited significantly by the struggle to adhere to them. This study was conducted to evaluate the factors associated with treatment adherence and quitting success in a group of patients that applied to our smoking cessation outpatient clinic (SCC). METHODS: Patients that applied to SCC between April 2015 and December 2016 who were evaluated, found suitable for smoking cessation interventions and started pharmacological treatment were included in this study. Only those who could be reached by phone three months after their first application became participants. Those who had used the prescribed treatment for at least 30 days were grouped as treatment-adherent. RESULTS: In total, data for 346 patients were evaluated. Mean (±SD) age was 44.3±13.9 years; most of them were male (63%), primary school graduated (36.1%), self-employed (43.7%), and had no comorbid diseases (71%). Bupropion was started in 52% of the patients, that rate was 35.8% for varenicline and 12.1% for a combination of the nicotine patch and gum. Mean days for treatment use was 20.9±18.5; 59% of the patients were non-adherent to their treatment and 51.7% had only one control visit number. Adverse reactions due to treatment were recorded in 25% of participants, and at their third month 37.9% of them had quit smoking. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, increase in control visit number, absence of adverse reaction, and varenicline use, were each associated with higher treatment adherence (p<0.001) and only being in the treatment-adherent group was associated with quit success (OR=3.01, 95% CI: 1.88-4.81, p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that most patients did not use their prescribed SC treatments adequately; a main factor that affects quit success is treatment adherence. There is a need for closer monitoring and follow-up to ensure adequate use of treatment of patients.

The effect of critical thinking education on nursing students' problem-solving skills.

THE AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study is to examine the effect of critical thinking education on nursing students' problem-solving skills. MATERIALS AND METHOD: This study was conducted with 93 nursing students, 49 in the control group and 44 in the education group. The California Critical Thinking Disposition Inventory and the Problem-solving Inventory were administered to them before and after 12 weeks of critical thinking education. RESULTS: The education group's mean critical thinking score was 253.61 on the pretest and 268.72 on the posttest. This increase was statistically significant (p < .001). The posttest mean score of the control group fell to 258.18 on the posttest after a pretest mean score of 260.79, and this difference was statistically significant (p < .001). According to the posttest results, the problem-solving skills of education group increased significantly (p < .001), while the control group's score fell significantly (p < .001). CONCLUSION: This study determined that critical thinking education improves problem-solving skills.