Online narrative therapy intervention improves post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms, perceived stress, anxiety, and depression in nurses: a randomized controlled trial.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effect of narrative therapy on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, perceived stress, anxiety, and depression in nurses.

Methods: A total of 92 clinical nurses with positive PTSD symptom screening results were randomly assigned (1:1) to the intervention or control group. The intervention group received narrative therapy and a psychological stress leaflet, while the control group received only a psychological stress leaflet. PTSD, perceived stress, anxiety, and depression were measured before and after the intervention to assess the effect of narrative therapy.

Results: After the intervention, the intervention group showed significantly lower PTSD symptom levels (p = 0.025), perceived stress (p = 0.033), anxiety (p = 0.004), and depression (p = 0.015) than the control group. Regarding the dichotomous PTSD, anxiety, and depression outcomes, there was a statistically significant decrease in the number of positive cases of PTSD (p = 0.030) and anxiety (p = 0.002), but no significant change in the number of positive cases of depression (p = 0.060).

Conclusion: Narrative therapy is expected to alleviate PTSD symptoms, stress, anxiety, and depression among frontline clinical nurses, and healthcare managers should consider narrative therapy interventions to improve the mental health of their nursing staff.

Clinical trial registration: ChiCTR2200058472. Registration date: April 09, 2022. Date of first recruitment: June 1, 2022.