SKILLS TRAINING AS A FACTOR IN LEVELS OF ANXIETY, LOCUS-OF-CONTROL, AND BURNOUT AMONG ONCOLOGY NURSES.
Contributors: University of Georgia.
Published: 1987
Number of pages: 144
Subjects: Education, Guidance and Counseling.; Health Sciences, Nursing.
Description: The purpose of this study was to determine whether skills training of oncology nurses would affect their levels of stress and their perceived levels of burnout. Locus of control was measured to determine if lowered stress and acquired skills would affect internality. This information was gathered from a staff of oncology nurses (n = 15) by self-report method using four instruments at four different measurement periods. The instruments used were the IPAT Anxiety Scale, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Spheres of Control Scale, and the Maslach Burnout Inventory.

Pre-treatment testing of the participants was conducted at two different times prior to training to establish a base-line and to determine if any shifts were taking place regardless of any training. The nurses were then trained in the use of relaxation techniques and imagery to help their patients control their nausea, pain and anxiety. The nurses were again tested after the training was completed. After the nurses were allowed to apply their newly acquired skills with patients, they were tested again using the same four instruments. Results were analyzed by using a t-test with a Bonferroni t employed to set critical values.

Nurses were found not to have varied significantly regarding their levels of anxiety, their locus of control or their perceived levels of burnout during the pre-treatment phase. The nurses were found to experience a significant lowering of state anxiety after completion of training (treatment phase) but there was no significant shift in locus of control, trait anxiety, or perceived burnout at that time.

At the completion of the skills application period the nurses reported a significant shift toward internality in locus of control, no significant change in their trait anxiety, a continued lower level of state anxiety as compared with the post-treatment measurement, and a significant lowering of perceived burnout. Recommendations for further research and practical implications were discussed.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 48-11, Section: A, page: 2813.

Thesis (PH.D.)--UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA, 1987.

School code: 0077.