Nurses in cancer care--stress when encountering existential issues.
Previous research related to stress among health care staff has highlighted several complex issues; however, a deeper analysis of the existential components has been lacking. The purpose of this paper is to study the stress of registered nurses who work with terminally ill and dying cancer patients, according to an earlier model developed by Ekedahl [2001. How can you bear the Challenge of Working at the Edges of Life and Death? Coping Processes with Hospital Chaplains Encountering Existential Confrontation: a Study in Psychology of Religion., Uppsala University, Thesis Uppsala]. The present study is qualitative and hypothesis-generating. The material analyzed are based on a life story approach and interviews carried out with 15 Swedish nurses working in hospices, oncology wards, and outpatient services for patients with advanced cancer. The nurses' stress levels ranged from low to severe, including multifaceted stress with existential dimensions. Different types of stress appear to be related with the individual, group, institutional, and cultural level.
Ekedahl
Marieanne
M
Stockholm School of Theology, Akeshovsvägen 29, SE-168 39 Bromma, Sweden.
Wengström
Yvonne
Y
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002055:Burnout, Professional / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D017281:Cost of Illness; D004645:Empathy; D005086:Existentialism / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000941:ethics / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology*; D016272:Occupational Health; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000941:ethics / Q000458:organization & administration; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012069:Religion and Psychology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden