Dissertations & Theses (Open Access)
Date of Award
Spring 5-3-2024
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD)
Advisor(s)
Maja Djukic, PhD
Second Advisor
Melanie McEwen, PhD
Third Advisor
Eric C. Jones, PhD
Abstract
Background: Emergency nurses experience traumatic situations as part of their professional role, leaving them vulnerable to secondary traumatic stress (STS). The distressing behaviors and symptoms of STS negatively impacts their well-being and ability to provide high quality care. Studies report that emergency nurses experience high levels of STS but less is known about how STS is influenced by their coping strategies and work-related factors. Further evidence is needed to better understand predictors of STS in order to support strategic efforts to improve the well-being and retention of nurses working in trauma-prone environments.
Aims: The specific aims of this study sought to: (1) describe the levels of STS and use of coping strategies among emergency nurses, (2) examine associations between STS and demographics, coping strategies, and work-related factors, and (3) identify key predictors of STS in emergency nurses.
Methods: This study used a descriptive, cross-sectional design using an online questionnaire to measure STS, demographics, coping strategies, and work-related factors. Data was collected from a convenience sample of emergency nurses (n=216) between June-August 2023. Descriptive statistics and correlation analyses were used to describe study variables and assess relationships between STS scores, as a continuous dependent variable, and independent study variables related to demographics, coping strategies, and work factors. Significant independent variables were examined using standard multiple regression to determine predictors of STS.
Results: Of the emergency nurses in this sample, 79.6% scored at or above clinical cutoff score of 39 for STS, and 60.6% fell into the category of “severe STS”. Problem-focused and emotion-focused strategies were the most commonly used coping strategies. However, STS scores were significantly higher for nurses who more frequently used avoidant strategies. The multiple regression model was significant and yielded key modifiable predictors of STS, including use of employer-based assistance, substance use, self-distraction, self-blame, and perception of the work environment’s impact on emergency nurses’ practice.
Conclusion: Overall, emergency nurses in this sample reported severe levels of STS and used a variety of strategies to cope. Demographics of this sample, explored in the descriptive analysis, were similar to recent emergency nursing workforce studies. Additional studies with larger samples are needed to expand these findings but key predictors in the model significantly predicted STS scores and can guide the strategic design and testing of interventions aimed to mitigate and prevent STS in emergency nurses.
Recommended Citation
Owen, Christian Paige, "Prevalence and Predictors of Secondary Traumatic Stress in a National Sample of Emergency Nurses: A Cross-Sectional Study" (2024). Dissertations & Theses (Open Access). 71.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/uthson_etd/71
Keywords
Secondary traumatic stress, emergency nurses, nurse coping, organizational stress, work life quality