Nursing stress: the effects of coping strategies and job satisfaction in a sample of Australian nurses The study reported in this paper examined relationships between nursing work-related stressors and coping strategies, and their impact upon nurses' levels of job satisfaction and mood disturbance. It was proposed that higher levels of perceived work stress and use of avoidance coping would increase mood disturbance, while problem-focused coping would be associated with less mood disturbance. The study also aimed to explore the possible 'buffering effects' of using humour in coping with stress, and the effect of job satisfaction on the stress-mood relationship. The sample consisted of 129 qualified Australian nurses who volunteered to complete standardized questionnaires, including the Nursing Stress Scale, Ways of Coping Questionnaire, the Coping Humour Scale, Job Satisfaction Scale of the Nurse Stress Index, and the shortened version of the Profile of Mood States. Results revealed a significant positive relationship between nursing stress and mood disturbance, and a significant negative relationship between nursing stress and job satisfaction. The use of avoidance coping and the perception of work overload were found to be significant predictors of mood disturbance. No evidence was found to indicate that the use of humour had a moderating effect on the stress-mood relationship but there was support for the influence of job satisfaction upon this relationship. These results provided some support for a transactional model of stress since situational factors were found to influence the nurses' coping and perceptions of stress.

Introduction The Canberra Bushfires were one of the largest single day natural disasters in Australian history. A group of researchers from across disciplines and sectors (Universities and Government) undertook a major project to study the experiences of people directly affected by the fires in the recovery process. The research team was interested in the longer term recovery experience (approximately three years following the event). The paper briefly outlines the research process, provides an overview of the findings on people's bushfire experiences, health and wellbeing, and views on what helped in individual and community recovery. Methods Sixteen hundred households that had been registered with the Bushfire Recovery Centre were surveyed. Five hundred questionnaires were returned and forty people interviewed. The survey consisted of 126 items. The survey took between 40 to 70 minutes to complete and the response rate was 32%. Results Many respondents experienced substantial property losses as a result of this bushfire (74% reported structural loss or damage to dwellings), and 78% of people recalled that they felt a threat of death or injury to themselves or significant others during the fires. The majority of respondents were positive about their health and wellbeing. A considerable number of individuals reported ongoing health and psychosocial problems related to the bushfires. Respondents commented on what helped in the recovery process. Conclusion With adequate support many people may not experience lasting negative outcomes for their health, mental health or wellbeing in the years following a bushfire disaster. However, continuing adverse effects on health and wellbeing are expected in the context of a high degree of loss, threat to life, and life stressors. Long term support is required for those experiencing ongoing health and psychosocial problems related to the bushfire. Given the diversity of experiences post-disaster a range of recovery responses are required over a period of years to support community and individual needs.

The aim of this study was to determine the accuracy of sexing fetal cells isolated from cervical mucus. Immunopositive cells identified using a fetal-specific antibody were isolated and subjected to genetic analysis. Fetal sex was predicted in all 22 samples, as confirmed by analysis of the corresponding placental tissue. This study validates the accuracy of our test for sex diagnosis and confirms the ability to effectively recover and analyse fetal cells from the cervical mucus during early pregnancy.

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This article describes the case of a 19-year-old woman presenting with repetitive episodes of effortless vomiting, which started within 3 weeks of her naval boot camp training. She underwent a battery of costly investigations before the diagnosis of rumination syndrome could be made. One of the reasons for her delayed diagnosis is that many physicians are unaware of, or are reluctant to make the diagnosis of rumination syndrome. The purpose of this article is to make the general physician aware of the possibility of rumination syndrome in adolescents and adults of normal intelligence, even though it was initially considered only in infants and mentally retarded individuals. The key to diagnosis is a thorough patient history. Reassurance and behavioral therapy is the mainstay of treatment, with a reported success of >80%.