The Relationship Between Compassion Fatigue and Professional Self-Concept in Psychiatric Nurses.

The current study examined the relationship between compassion fatigue and professional self-concept in psychiatric nurses. Participants included 156 nurses working in a mental health and disorders hospital in Turkey. Data were collected via a sociodemographics form, the Compassion Fatigue subscale of the Professional Quality of Life Scale, and Professional Self-Concept Scale. Participants exhibited low levels of compassion fatigue and high levels of professional self-concept. A significant negative relationship was found between participants' mean compassion fatigue scores and mean professional satisfaction, professional competence, and professional self-concept scores (p < 0.05). Professional satisfaction, professional competence, and professional self-concept decreased with increasing compassion fatigue. Nurses should be provided emotional support through in-service training and effective communication to prevent burnout. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 62(3), 22-28.].

Alexithymia and Forgiveness Levels of Forensic Psychiatric Patients.

The current cross-sectional study was performed to examine levels of alexithymia and forgiveness in forensic psychiatric patients. Data were collected between March 2022 and August 2022 at a high-security forensic psychiatric hospital affiliated with a city hospital in Turkey. A personal information form prepared by the researchers, the Toronto Alexithymia Scale, and the Heartland Forgiveness Scale were used to obtain data. Participants comprised 132 forensic psychiatric patients who agreed to participate in the study. A significant negative correlation was found between alexithymia and forgiveness levels of participants (p < 0.01, r = -0.259). In other words, as alexithymia levels increased, participants were found to be less forgiving. In addition, results suggest that forensic psychiatric patients are susceptible to alexithymia and higher levels of forgiveness. Determining forgiveness and alexithymia levels of forensic psychiatric patients will contribute to the structuring of care to be offered to these patients. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, xx(xx), xx-xx.].

Levels of Care Burden and Self-efficacy for Informal Caregiver of Patients With Cancer.

This descriptive study was conducted to determine the levels of self-efficacy and caregiver burden experienced by caregivers for patients with cancer. The study was conducted at the oncology clinic of a hospital in Erzurum city, Turkey. The study sample consisted of 101 caregivers of patients hospitalized with a diagnosis of cancer. The Self-Efficacy Scale Turkish version and the Zarit Caregiver Burden Scale, which is a sociodemographic questionnaire, were used for data collection. The level for the burden of care for caregivers to patients with cancer was moderate, and the level of self-efficacy was moderate. A statistically significant, positive relationship was found between the scores for the Care Burden Scale and the Completing Behavior Subscale (r = 0.213; P < .05). A statistically significant, negative relationship was observed between the mean scores of the Care Burden Scale with Self-Efficacy Scale's total score (r = -0.104; P < .05), Sustaining Behavior Subscale (r = -0.324; P < .01), and Initiating Behavior Subscale (r = -0.199; P ≤ .05). Therefore, initiatives focused on self-efficacy levels should be developed to increase the abilities of caregivers for patients with cancer.

The Effect of Internalized Stigma on the Self Esteem in Patients with Schizophrenia.

AIM: This study has been conducted to determine the relationship between internalized stigma and self-esteem in patients with schizophrenia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted using 60 patients with schizophrenia who were diagnosed as schizophrenic according to the DSM-IV diagnostic criteria in the psychiatric clinics of hospitals in Erzurum. The data were collected using the "Questionnaire on Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale" (ISMI) that determines the socio-demographic characteristics of patients, and the "Short Form of Self-Esteem Scale" (SF-SES). RESULTS: The mean Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale score was high; the mean of the positive dimension of the self-esteem scale score was lower than negative dimension. A negative significant relationship was found (r=-.758, p<0.01) between the ISMI and SF-SES when we examined the relationship between the mean scores of self-esteem and internalized stigma levels of the patients. There is a significantly positive relationship between the mean scores of the stigma resistance and SERS-SF (r=.339, p<0.01). CONCLUSION: The findings show that the patients' self-esteem decreases with the increasing levels of internalized stigma. In particular, the high level of accepting stereotyped judgments and the low stigma resistance can be associated with low self-esteem. Based on these results, increasing psychoeducation and counseling services for patients with schizophrenia, and increasing the public awareness of this issue are recommended. Advanced quantitative studies should be conducted to determine the factors related to fighting stigma.

Social Functioning and Self-Esteem of Substance Abuse Patients.

AIM: This descriptive study was conducted to examine the levels of social functioning and self-esteem in individuals diagnosed with substance abuse. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The study was conducted at the AMATEM (Alcohol and Substance Abuse Treatment Center) service of a psychiatry clinic in the Elazig province in eastern Turkey between September 1, 2014 and February 1, 2015. The population is comprised of 249 patients being treated in this clinic, and the sample included 203 patients who comply with the research criteria and agreed to participate in the study. A Socia-Demographic Questionnaire, Coopersmith Self-esteem Scale (CSI) and Social Functioning Scale (SFS) were used for data collection. Percentages, averages, standard deviations and Pearson's correlation were used for data analysis. RESULTS: This study found that the patients' mean sore on the Self-esteem Scale is 50.97±18.01. Their score on the Social Functioning Scale is 115.76±22.41. A significant correlation between the patients' self-esteem and the age of first substance use was detected (p=0.001). A significant correlation was detected between their social functioning and the duration of their substance use (p<0.005). This study found a positive significant correlation between social functioning and self-esteem (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: This study found that substance abuse patients have a medium level of self-esteem and social functioning. A significant positive correlation between social functioning and self-esteem was found. It was also found that the age of first substance use and self-esteem are directly correlated. Counseling to increase patients' levels of self-esteem and improve their social functioning is recommended.

The Effect of Assertiveness Training on the Mobbing That Nurses Experience.

This research was designed to determine the impact of assertiveness training on the mobbing experience of nurses. This study was conducted in two phases. In the first phase, 218 nurses completed the mobbing scale; the education group consisted of 38 nurses who received a score at or above 204 points. A total of 180 nurses were excluded from the education group because they received less than 204 points. The study was conducted with 30 nurses because 8 nurses did not agree to participate in the study. The 30 nurses received the assertiveness training program. Six months after training, the nurses completed the mobbing scale and Rathus Assertiveness Inventory (RAI) again. The assertiveness training positively affected the assertiveness and mobbing scores (p = .000). After the training, the assertiveness scores increased and the mobbing condition score decreased (p < .01). Assertiveness training is an effective method for decreasing mobbing. In line with these results, training programs, which support nurses' personal development by providing counseling and support to nurse victims of mobbing, are recommended.

The relationship between meaning of illness, anxiety, depression, and quality of life for cancer patients.

The aim of this descriptive study was to determine the relationship between meaning of illness, anxiety, depression, and quality of life of patients receiving chemotherapy. Inclusion of the study consists of 110 patients with cancer who applied to the inpatient unit of a medical oncology clinic from 01 December 2005 to 31 May 2006 to receive inpatient chemotherapy. The research sampling comprises of 110 patients who were hospitalized at the medical oncology clinic of the university hospital and who received chemotherapy for at least 6 months. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD), Meaning of Illness Questionnaire (MIQ) and Quality of Life Scale were utilized to collect data. The results of the correlation analysis revealed a statistically significant relationship between meaning ofillness, anxiety, depression, and quality of life (p < 0.01). Positive meaning of the illness increases the quality of life score average and reduces anxiety and depression. The results indicated that meaning of illness affects anxiety, depression, and quality of life. Nurses should offer op- portunities for patients to search the positive meaning in the cancer illness.