“Embracing the Inner Strength and Staying Strong”: Exploring Self-Care Preparedness among Nurses for Enhancing Their Psychological Well-Being against the Long-Term Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic in Brunei Darussalam

• Published in: International journal of environmental research and public health Vol. 20; no. 17; p. 6629
• Main Authors: Abdul-Mumin, Khadizah H., Maideen, Aminol Azrin, Lupat, Agong, Mohd-Alipah, Siti Nur-Diyana, Mohammad-Alli, Roziah H., Abd-Manaf, Hajah-Noraini H., Osman, Abd-Rani, Abd. Fata, Haji Mohd Reduan, Busrah, Nani, Darling-Fisher, Cynthia, Idris, Deeni Rudita
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 23-08-2023; MDPI
• Subjects: Anxiety; Burnout; Coping; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; Disease prevention; Disease transmission; Emotional regulation; Empowerment; Epidemics; Fatalities; Medical personnel; Mental depression; Mental health; Nurses; Nursing care; Pandemics; Patients; Stress; Brunei
• ISSN: 1660-4601; 1661-7827; 1660-4601
• DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20176629

During three years of the unprecedented, massive COVID-19 pandemic that affected the world, nurse front liners faced substantial challenges and experienced long-term adverse mental health. This study explored psychological self-care practices undertaken by nurses to strengthen their mental health and develop resilience in their professional care role while addressing the challenges of the COVID-19 era. A qualitative descriptive exploratory study was conducted on 40 nurses who worked in providing COVID-19 care across Brunei using focus groups aided by semi-structured open-ended questions. Data were thematically analyzed using constructivist grounded theory. Four themes emerged: (1) ‘Care of the mind, heart and soul’; (2) ‘Physical care for the psychological well-being’; (3) ‘Venting out and distraction’; (4) ‘Have faith, think and stay positive’. The challenges of dealing with a worldwide pandemic unintentionally placed nurses’ mental well-being at risk while the government strategized and prioritized containing and preventing the spread of and death from COVID-19. Health administrators, as well as nursing educators, need to promote and develop resources to strengthen nurses’ psychological self-care practices. This will not only benefit individual nurses but will help promote the well-being of patients and employees, improve the health of all, and counteract any unintended stressful situations, even beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.