“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

Khadizah H. Abdul-Mumin (), Aminol Azrin Maideen, Agong Lupat, Siti Nur-Diyana Mohd-Alipah, Roziah H. Mohammad-Alli, Hajah-Noraini H. Abd-Manaf, Abd-Rani Osman, Haji Mohd Reduan Abd. Fata, Nani Busrah, Cynthia Darling-Fisher and Deeni Rudita Idris
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Khadizah H. Abdul-Mumin: Pengiran Anak Puteri Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah Institute of Health Sciences, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Gadong BE1410, Brunei
Aminol Azrin Maideen: Pengiran Anak Puteri Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah Institute of Health Sciences, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Gadong BE1410, Brunei
Agong Lupat: Pengiran Anak Puteri Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah Institute of Health Sciences, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Gadong BE1410, Brunei
Siti Nur-Diyana Mohd-Alipah: School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan
Roziah H. Mohammad-Alli: Department of Nursing Services, Ministry of Health, Bandar Seri Begawan BB3910, Brunei
Hajah-Noraini H. Abd-Manaf: Department of Nursing Services, Ministry of Health, Bandar Seri Begawan BB3910, Brunei
Abd-Rani Osman: Department of Nursing Services, Ministry of Health, Bandar Seri Begawan BB3910, Brunei
Haji Mohd Reduan Abd. Fata: Department of Nursing Services, Ministry of Health, Bandar Seri Begawan BB3910, Brunei
Nani Busrah: Department of Nursing Services, Ministry of Health, Bandar Seri Begawan BB3910, Brunei
Cynthia Darling-Fisher: School of Nursing, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
Deeni Rudita Idris: Pengiran Anak Puteri Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah Institute of Health Sciences, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Gadong BE1410, Brunei

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 17, 1-16

Abstract: 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.

Keywords: COVID-19; environmental; health; pandemic; psychological; self-care; Brunei (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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