Trends and Challenges of Interventional Studies on Stress Management for Nurses

Abstract

［Objective］ To develop an overview of effective stress management support for nurses, with the following 3 focuses: 1） the techniques used in effective intervention programs provided for nurses to manage their stress, 2） rate of interventional studies focusing on positive psychological functioning in nurses, and 3） scales used in interventional studies on stress management for nurses.

［Methods］ Trends in interventional studies on stress management for nurses were examined by searching for domestic and international research papers, which had been published within the period between 2011 and May 2021, using the Ichushi Web ver. 5 and PubMed databases, respectively, and combining the following keywords: “nurse”, “stress management”, “stress control”, “stress coping”, and “intervention”.

［Results］ Among 161 domestic and 292 international papers, a total of 453 papers identified, 20were included. Among the 20 papers, 6 （30%） reported interventions focusing on positive psychological functioning. The psychological functions examined were subjective well-being and the sense of consistency.

［Discussion］ Many of these stress management programs for nurses were designed to reduce stress responses. As the number of studies focusing on one’s positive aspects is still limited, it may be necessary to adopt the perspective of positive psychology, and establish theories, in order to develop interventional techniques that promote one’s strengths. Furthermore, when evaluating interventions, scales to measure various aspects, including effectiveness, should be used, rather than simply measuring effects.