An Examination of Stress, Coping, and Adaptation in Nurses in a Recovery and Monitoring Program

Abstract

Addiction rates in nurses are higher than in the general population. The relationship between stress, coping, and adaptation in nurses (N = 82) enrolled in a recovery and monitoring program in the state of New Jersey was examined. Social support, a variable tested as a mediator of this relationship, was also examined. Participants completed the Perceived Stress Scale, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and Psychological General Well-Being Index. Negative relationships were found between stress and social support and stress and well-being, and a positive relationship was found between social support and well-being (all ps < .05). The direct relationship between stress and well-being was decreased in the presence of social support. The findings of this research suggest that, to assist nurses, an increased awareness of stress and its injurious effects on overall well-being must be identified so proactive measures can be implemented to prevent potential untoward consequences. Ultimately, methods to strengthen social support and social networks will enhance the probability of sustained recovery, relapse prevention, and safe reentry into nursing practice. Implications for behavioral health providers and health care practitioners are discussed.

Coping strategies at the frontline of care: Comparisons between Covid‐19 and non‐Covid‐19 units' nurses and the role of moderator variables

“…Initial analyses showed that gender differences emerged in the social support coping dimension: in particular, women were more likely to adopt social support as a coping strategy than men, in line with data from previous studies 23 . As discussed in the Introduction, social support seeking has been generally found to be a dysfunctional coping strategy in most of the studies which used the COPE‐NVI 22–24,26 . However, such gender‐based difference was not detected in subsequent analyses based on generalized linear models.…”

“…23 As discussed in the Introduction, social support seeking has been generally found to be a dysfunctional coping strategy in most of the studies which used the COPE-NVI. [22][23][24]26 However, such gender-based difference was not detected in subsequent analyses based on generalized linear models. In addition, women were less likely to use a coping style based on positive attitudes than men, in contrast with previous data.…”

“…Coping may be defined as a process implying the use of a series of skills and strategies to face stressful situations. 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 In the literature on coping, several theoretical models have been proposed. One of the most empirically supported is the model introduced by Carver et al 23 who identified 15 coping strategies and made several distinctions within the overall categories of problem‐focused and emotional‐focused coping (e.g., active coping, planning, restraint coping, seeking social support for emotional reasons, focus on and venting emotions, positive reinterpretation, and acceptance), each one measured by a scale of the Coping Orientations to Problems Experienced (COPE).…”

“…According to Lazarus, 17 mental health is not only direct function of the level of stress, but also it depends on how people appraise and face critical situations. Coping may be defined as a process implying the use of a series of skills and strategies to face stressful situations 18–22 . In the literature on coping, several theoretical models have been proposed.…”

A critical review of knowledge on nurses with problematic substance use: The need to move from individual blame to awareness of structural factors

“…Evidence demonstrates that peer support is an important structural factor that mitigates the effects of stress, improves the general well‐being of nurses recovering from PSU, and contributes to their positive treatment outcomes (Bowen, Taylor, Marcus‐Aiyeku, & Krause‐Parello, ; Darbro, ; Monroe et al., ). The literature also supports the effectiveness of structural interventions targeting peer support in positively shifting this structural influence.…”