Date of Award

Summer 8-30-2024

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology (PhD)

Department

Clinical Psychology

First Advisor/Committee Member

Lynette Bikos, Ph.D

Second Advisor/Committee Member

Joel Jin, Ph.D.

Third Advisor/Committee Member

Samuel Rennebohm, Ph.D.

Fourth Advisor/Committee Member

Christine Henshaw, Ed.D.

Abstract

Purpose: Burnout among healthcare workers is widespread and costly, resulting in calls for action to reduce the experience and impact of this work-related phenomenon. Burnout among nurses has been associated with impaired patient safety, decreased quality of care, lower levels of patient satisfaction, decreased productivity, and higher levels of intent-to-leave the profession. Aim: The aims of this study are to assess whether sleep problems mediate the relationship between recovery and burnout and to examine the feasibility of a pilot intervention to enhance recovery, improve sleep quality, and reduce burnout among inpatient nurses. Method: Eligible participants included registered nurses who worked at least 0.6 FTE in any acute care hospital within the United States. Participants completed a baseline survey and were given the option to participate in an intervention. The intervention consisted of an asynchronous module incorporating education on recovery, sleep, and burnout, and development of an individualized recovery plan, followed by a 30-minute, virtual, one-on-one meeting. Primary variables of interest were recovery experience, sleep quality, burnout, and both quantitative and qualitive measures of feasibility and utility. Data was collected at baseline and two-weeks post-intervention. Results: Sleep problems did not mediate the relationship between recovery and burnout, though there was a significant direct effect. Sleep problems also had a significant effect on burnout, above and beyond the effect of age and depression. Participants overwhelmingly rated the intervention as relevant, useful, accessible, and worthwhile and provided suggestions for ways to improve the intervention. Conclusions: Although the hypothesized relationships between recovery, sleep problems, and burnout were not supported, the results do indicate that recovery and sleep problems influence burnout among hospital-based registered nurses. The intervention tested in this study was well received, providing support for further testing and potential integration into healthcare systems. Enhancing recovery and improving sleep quality have the potential to improve overall wellbeing and reduce burnout risk among hospital-based nurses, who, as a population, continue to report significant work-related distress and burnout.

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