Depression, anxiety and stress among Australian nursing and midwifery undergraduate students during the COVID-19 pandemic : A cross-sectional study
- Authors: Wynter, Karen , Redley, Bernice , Holton, Sara , Manias, Elizabeth , McDonall, Jo , McTier, Lauren , Hutchinson, Alison , Kerr, Debra , Lowe, Grainne , Phillips, Nicole , Rasmussen, Bodil
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Nursing Education Scholarship Vol. 18, no. 1 (2021), p.
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- Description: Objectives: To assess depression, anxiety and stress among undergraduate nursing and midwifery students during the COVID-19 pandemic, and identify socio-demographic and educational characteristics associated with higher depression, anxiety and stress scores. Methods: Cross-sectional study during August-September 2020, using an anonymous, online, self-administered survey. E-mail invitations with a survey link were sent to 2,907 students enrolled in the Bachelor of Nursing suite of courses, offered across four campuses of a single university in Victoria, Australia. Depression, anxiety and stress were assessed using the DASS-21. Data on socio-demographic and educational characteristics, self-rated physical health and exposure to COVID-19 were also collected. DASS-21 subscale scores were compared with existing data for various pre-pandemic and COVID-19 samples. Multiple regression was used to investigate factors associated with higher scores on depression, anxiety and stress subscales. Results: The response rate was 22% (n=638). Mean scores on all DASS-21 subscales were significantly higher (p<0.001) than means from all comparative sample data. The proportions of students reporting moderate to severe symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress were 48.5%, 37.2% and 40.2% respectively. Being a woman, being younger, having completed more years of study and having poorer self-rated general health were all significantly associated (p<0.05) with higher scores on at least one DASS-21 subscale. Conclusions: Almost half of participants reported at least moderate symptoms of depression; more than a third reported at least moderate symptoms of anxiety or stress. Poor psychological wellbeing can impact students' successful completion of their studies and therefore, has implications for nursing and midwifery workforce recruitment and retention. During and after pandemics, universities should consider screening undergraduate students not only for anxiety and stress, but also for depression. Clear, low-cost referral pathways should be available, should screening indicate that further diagnosis or treatment is required. © 2021 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston.
The first year : the support needs of parents caring for a child with an intellectual disability
- Authors: Douglas, Tracy , Redley, Bernice , Ottmann, Goetz
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Advanced Nursing Vol. 72, no. 11 (Nov 2016), p. 2738-2749
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The impact of covid-19 on psychosocial well-being and learning for australian nursing and midwifery undergraduate students: a cross-sectional survey
- Authors: Rasmussen, Bodil , Hutchinson, Alison , Lowe, Grainne , Wynter, Karen , Redley, Bernice , Holton, Sara , Manias, Elizabeth , Phillips, Nikki , McDonall, Jo , McTier, Lauren , Kerr, Debra
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Nurse Education in Practice Vol. 58, no. (2022), p.
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- Description: Aim: To explore the impact of COVID-19 on psychosocial well-being and learning for nursing and midwifery undergraduate students in an Australian university. Background: The World Health Organization has reported a substantial psychological impact of COVID-19 on healthcare professionals to date. Evidence is lacking, however, regarding university nursing and midwifery students of the pandemic and its impact on their educational preparation and/or clinical placement during the COVID-19 pandemic. Design: Cross-sectional survey of nursing and midwifery undergraduate students enrolled in the Bachelor of Nursing suite of courses from the study institution in August- September 2020. Methods: A cross-sectional self-administered anonymous online survey was distributed to current nursing and midwifery undergraduate students. The survey included three open-ended questions; responses were thematically analysed. Results: Of 2907 students invited, 637 (22%) responded with 288 of the respondents (45%) providing a response to at least one of the three open-ended questions. Three major themes associated with the impact of the pandemic on psychosocial well-being and learning were identified: psychosocial impact of the pandemic, adjustment to new modes of teaching and learning, and concerns about course progression and career. These themes were underpinned by lack of motivation to study, feeling isolated, and experiencing stress and anxiety that impacted on students’ well-being and their ability to learn and study. Conclusions: Students were appreciative of different and flexible teaching modes that allowed them to balance their study, family, and employment responsibilities. Support from academic staff and clinical facilitators/mentors combined with clear and timely communication of risk management related to personal protective equipment (PPE) in a healthcare facility, were reported to reduce students’ stress and anxiety. Ways to support and maintain motivation among undergraduate nursing and midwifery students are needed. © 2021
The need to know : the information needs of parents of infants with an intellectual disability-a qualitative study
- Authors: Douglas, Tracy , Redley, Bernice , Ottmann, Goetz
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Advanced Nursing Vol. 73, no. 11 (Nov 2017), p. 2600-2608
- Full Text: false
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- Description: Aim: The aim of this study was to explore the information needs of parents of infants with an intellectual disability in the first year of life. Background: Parents whose infant has an intellectual disability need access to information if they are to facilitate optimal care for their child. A lack of timely, accurate information provision by health professionals, particularly nurses and midwives, can increase parental stress and hinder access to the supports they and their infant require. Design: A qualitative descriptive methodology was used for the study. Methods: Qualitative interviews were undertaken with parents of 11 children with intellectual disabilities in Victoria, Australia in 2014. Data were analysed using descriptive thematic analysis. Findings: Parents experienced challenges accessing quality information during the first year of their child's life. Parents required incremental information provision to build a strong knowledge base to facilitate optimal care for their infants. Three types of knowledge were identified as crucial for parents: knowledge about (1) the infant's condition; (2) the infant's specific needs and (3) available supports and services. Health professionals were the key resource to access this information. Conclusion: Health professionals’ responsibilities include providing relevant, timely information to parents of infants with intellectual disabilities. This study conceptualises three types of information parents need to develop a strong knowledge base to guide their infant's care and provides guidance concerning the optimal timing for the delivery of information. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd