Perceived stress and physio-psycho-social status of nursing students during their initial period of clinical practice: the effect

of coping behaviors.
Sheu S, Lin HS, Hwang SL.

Source
Nursing Department, Fooyin Institute of Technology, 151 Chin-Hsueh Road, Ta-Liao Hsiang, Hsien 831, ROC, Kao-Hsiung, Taiwan. slsheu@cc.fy.edu.tw

Abstract
Initial clinical practice is stressful. Nursing students entering clinical practice for the first time in a five-year associate degree program in Taiwan are young and have questionable coping skills, all of which can affect their own health. This study examined the following: (1) the degree of stress perceived and types of stressful events; (2) the physio-psycho-social status of nursing students during the practice; (3) the coping behaviors of these students; and (4) the effect of different coping behaviors on their physiopsycho-social health. The subjects were 561 nursing students who had completed their initial clinical practice at the largest nursing school in Taiwan. Three measurements, including Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Physio-Psycho-Social Response Scale (PPSRS), and Coping Behavior Inventory (CBI), were adopted. Results showed that stress for these students came mainly from the lack of professional knowledge and skills as well as caring of patients. The most common response to stress was social behavioral symptoms. Staying optimistic had a positive main effect, which reduced the occurrence of physio-psycho-social symptoms and improved physio-psycho-social status. Finally, problem-solving behavior also had a positive main effect, while avoidance had a negative main effect, which deteriorated physio-psycho-social status. This study has important implications for nursing educators in helping their students to overcome stress during clinical practice.

[The relationships among stress, physio-psycho-social status, coping behaviors and personality traits of nursing students during first time clinical practice].
[Article in Chinese]
Sheu S, Lin HS, Hwang SL.

Source
Fooyin Institute of Technology.

Abstract
First-time clinical practice is stressful. However, every person's perception of stress, responses to stress and coping methods are different. It is important to examine the relationships between these phenomena and personality traits. The subjects of this study were 280 nursing students who had undertaken their first clinical practice. This study used Clinical Practice Stress Scale, Clinical Practice Physio-psycho-social Response Scale, Coping Behavior Inventory of Clinical Practice and Chi test to examine the following four questions for the students: (1) the type and frequency of stressors occurring during their first clinical practice, (2) physio-psycho-social status; (3) the coping behaviors utilized by the students; (4) the

relationship among perception of stress, coping behaviors, physio-psycho-social status and personality traits. The results of this study showed that the most common stressors were lack of professional knowledge and skill, and taking care of patients. The most common response of the students was social behavioral response, followed by emotional response. Physical response rarely occur. The most common coping behavior utilized by the students was keeping optimistic, followed by transferring and problem solving. Avoidance behaviors were least one. In addition, the results of this study show that the perception of stress, coping behaviors and psychosocial status are significantly related to personality characteristics, including introversion-extroversion, social adaptiveness, and emotional stability. These results may help nurses to better understand the phenomena of stress, coping and adaptation. They may also help nursing educators understand the difficulties of nursing students and, based on individual difference, assist them individually in order to promote the quality of clinical practice.

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