A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY TO ASSESS THE PHYSICAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS AND COPING STRATEGIES ADOPTED BY THE NURSING STUDENTS

Author Name: 1. Ms. Monika Narang, 2. Ms. Gurjot Kaur

Volume/Issue: 05/07

Country: India

DOI NO.: 08.2020-25662434 DOI Link: https://doi-ds.org/doilink/12.2024-43315176/UIJIR

Affiliation:

1. M.Sc. (N) Student, Saraswati Nursing Institute, Kurali, Punjab, India.
2. Assistant Professor, Saraswati Nursing Institute, Kurali, Punjab, India.

ABSTRACT

Background: Distress has been defined as "a poor state of mental health characterized by anxiety and depressive symptoms”, which can be seen as an emotional disturbance that may affect an individual's ability to function in social situations and go about their daily lives. AIM: The aim of the study is to assess the physical, psychological distress and coping strategies adopted by the nursing students in selected colleges of Punjab. Methods: A Quantitative research approach and descriptive research design was used in the study.200 subjects were selected as a sample by using convenient sampling technique. The tool was developed i.e. Checklist for Physical Distress and the standardized tool i.e. Kessler Psychological Distress scale was used to assess Psychological Distress and BRIEF Coping Orientation to Problem Experienced inventory was used to assess the Coping Strategies among nursing students. A descriptive and inferential statistics was used to analyze the data. Results: The results of the study showed that 74(37%) subjects had no physical distress,79(39.5%) subjects had less physical distress,47(23.5%) subjects had high physical distress. 59(29.5%) subjects were likely to be well psychologically, 57(28.5%) subjects were likely to have mild mental disorder, 42(21%)subjects likely to have moderate mental disorder, 42(21.0%) subjects were likely to have Severe mental disorder. 56 (28%) subjects used poor coping strategies, 135(67.5%) subjects were used an average coping strategies,12 ( 6%) subjects used good coping strategies. The mean± SD of physical distress and psychological distress was 1.82 ± 0.369 and 2.29397 ± 0.00938 respectively. Conclusion: This study concludes that the subjects who used good coping strategies had no physical distress and likely to be well psychologically those who used average coping strategies had less physical distress and likely to have mild mental disorders, while those who used poor coping strategies had high physical distress and likely to have moderate or severe mental disorders.

Key words: Distress, Physical, Psychological, Coping Strategies.