Thesis
A qualitative investigation of secondary traumatic stress and coping strategies in NICU nurses
Master of Science (M.S.), Drexel University
Aug 2023
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00001826
Abstract
Nurses in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) are frequently faced with many stressors, including care for medically complex infants, infant suffering and death, exposure to parental trauma and grief, discordance between multiple disciplines regarding care decisions, and ethical and moral dilemmas. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significant changes and restrictions to neonatal care that have also contributed to stress in both NICU families and nurses. Consequently, NICU nurses are at risk for experiencing secondary traumatic stress (STS), which has implications for their health, well-being, retention, and the quality of care provided. There is a gap in knowledge about the first-hand experiences of STS from the point of view of NICU nurses, particularly in the age of the COVID-19 pandemic. The current study provides an enhanced understanding of STS and coping strategies in NICU nurses through the qualitative analysis of rich narratives and first-hand accounts of their personal experiences, thoughts, and perceptions. Self-report measures were used to collect sociodemographic information, key work-related information, STS symptoms and severity, and level of burnout and descriptive statistics were used to characterize and describe the study sample. The study sample was comprised of 15 female registered nurses (RNs) working in a level-IV NICU in the United States. Participants had high levels of STS (M = 45.07) and moderate levels of burnout (M = 3.70). Qualitative data collection occurred during individual semi-structured interviews with eligible NICU nurses. Interviews were transcribed and coded for thematic content using NVivo 14 qualitative data analysis software. Theoretical thematic analysis resulted in six main themes (e.g., secondary traumas in the NICU, controllability, the impact of STS, coping strategies, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and suggestions for mitigating STS) and 17 related subthemes. The pervasive themes and subthemes derived from this qualitative analysis can inform future empirical studies and intervention development.
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Details
- Title
- A qualitative investigation of secondary traumatic stress and coping strategies in NICU nurses
- Creators
- Leah B. Sodowick
- Contributors
- Pamela A. Geller (Advisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Science (M.S.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- vi, 99 pages
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences (Psychology); College of Arts and Sciences; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 991021229715404721