The effect of a positive thinking program on psychological well-being of nurses working in COVID-19 wards

Abstract

Introduction: Nursing care for patients with COVID-19 is associated with various stressors that can affect the psychological state. This study aimed to examine the effect of a positive thinking program on psychological well-being of nurses caring for COVID-19 patients. Material and methods: Seventy-four nurses were assigned randomly to an intervention and a control group. The intervention group members underwent a positive thinking program in eight sessions using WhatsApp. Data were analyzed using SPSS 21. Results: The findings showed significant differences between the intervention and control group immediately and two months after the intervention, in their psychological well-being levels. The repeated measures ANOVA regarding the impact of time within the intervention group showed a significant increase in psychological well-being scores from baseline to two months after the intervention (p = 0.002). Conclusions: The findings provide preliminary evidence supporting use of positive thinking for increasing psychological well-being in nurses caring for COVID-19 patients.