Effect of Positive Thinking Skills on Optimism and Death Anxiety of COVID-19 Nurses: A quasi-experimental study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has placed nurses on the front lines, facing challenging conditions and increased stress levels. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of positive thinking skills training on nurses' optimism and death anxiety while caring for COVID-19 patients.

METHODS: In a quasi-experimental, two-group, pre- and post-test study, a total of 52 eligible nurses working at Amir al-Momenin Hospital in Zabol, Iran, between October and December 2022, were divided into intervention and control groups. The intervention group received positive thinking skills training via email or WhatsApp, with eight, 60-minutes sessions over two months. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, the Templer Death Anxiety Scale (DAS), and the Scheier and Carver Life Orientation Test, both before and one month after the intervention.

RESULTS: There were no significant differences in optimism and death anxiety scores between the two groups before the intervention. However, the intervention group showed a statistically significant increase in optimism (from 13.11±3.78 to 19.03±2.58) and decrease in death anxiety (from 55.15±7.06 to 41.76±4.48) after the intervention (P <0.001).

CONCLUSION: Considering the stressful nature of COVID-19 disease, positive thinking skills training can be recommended as an effective method to reduce death anxiety and improve nurses' optimism, thus enhancing their willingness to continue caring for patients.