“We must be strong in our heart, in our mind and in our soul”: An exploratory qualitative study on nurses’ psychological self-care in strengthening their mental health while providing COVID-19 care

Abstract

Background It is two years since the unprecedented and massive COVID-19 pandemic affected the world. Since its emergence, nurse frontliners across the globe faced various challenges that lead them to experience adverse mental health. An important yet often overlooked or underappreciated initial coping strategy is psychological self-care. Research has shown that nurses’ psychological self-care practices strengthened their mental well-being when facing the unpredicted nature and chaos of COVID-19. This study examined the specific positive psychological self-care practices used by nurses who provided care for COVID-19 patients. Methods An exploratory qualitative study was conducted on 40 nurses who worked in providing care for confirmed and suspected COVID-19 patients across Brunei. Data was collected using focus groups aided by semi-structured open-ended questions and analysed thematically using the principles underpinning Constructivist Grounded Theory (Charmaz, 2021). Results Four themes emerged: 1) ‘Care of the mind, heart and soul’ – explained the meaning and importance of psychological self-care practices to the nurses; 2) ‘Physical care for the psychological well-being’- illuminated efforts undertaken to strengthen knowledge and practices for preparedness in caring for suspected and confirmed COVID-19 patients; 3) ‘Venting out and distraction’ – demonstrated the measures undertaken to release and relieve stress; 4) ‘Have faith, think and stay positive’ – described the importance of having faith in the higher being or supreme entity such as God for protection, and enduring the daily challenges positively Conclusions Due to the challenges of dealing with a worldwide pandemic, nurses’ mental well-being was unintentionally placed at risk while the government strategized and prioritised containing and preventing the spread of and death from COVID-19. This study describes specific psychological self-care practices undertaken by nurses to strengthen their mental health and develop resilience in their professional care role while addressing the challenges of the COVID-19 era. Health administrators, as well as nursing educators, need to promote and developing resources to strengthen nurses’ positive psychological self-care practices. This will not only benefit individual nurses but will help promote the wellbeing of patients and employees, improve the health of all, and counteract any unintended stressful situations, even beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.