The effect of stress inoculation program (SIP) on nurse's general health in psychiatric ward

Stress can negatively affect nurses’ general health from psychiatric point of view. Therefore، use of preventive approaches for stress management should be considered necessary. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of stress inoculation program on nurses’ general health in psychiatric ward. This experimental pre-test post-test study included 60 nurses and healthcare workers، in Ebne-Sina Psychiatric Hospital in Mashhad. The most important inclusion criteria were: employment in Ebne-Sina Hospital in the last 6 months and not being off work for more than 2 weeks during the last month. Also the most important exclusion criteria were: missing at least 10% of the time of workshop sessions and experiencing serious stress during the study. General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) was used for data collection which was completed at the baseline، at the end of the study and 1 month after the intervention. Stress inoculation program included two workshops at one weak interval. Each workshop aimed at reconceptualization، acquisition and application of the skills for 4 hours. S. I. P increased general health scores from 35/5 ± 3/4 at the baseline to 38/0 ±4/4 after intervention and 39/3 ±3/3 after 1 month of intervention which showed a significant rise in the score (p<0/005). In the control group the general health score decreased significantly after intervention and also 1 month of intervention in comparison to the baseline score (p<0/005). Based on our results، S. I. P is applicable and beneficial for the improvement of the nurses’ general health.