Autogenic regulation training (ART), sickness absence, personal problems, time and the emotional-physical stress of student nurses in general training : a report of a longitudinal field investigation

摘要

A field investigation was carried out with student nurses entering General Training in a School of Nursing.  Autogenic Regulation Training (ART), sickness absence, personal problems, time and their emotional physical  experience was evaluated. Measures used in the study included:The Sickness Absence Record (SAR)The Mooney Problem Checklist (MPC)The Crown-Crisp Experiential Index (CCEI)and The Personal Observations Inventory (POI)Data was collected at different time periods early in their nurse education. The study was carried out to  investigate the effectiveness of ART in providing a method of coping with individual stress. Analyses were made  between and within an ART group of student nurses and a comparison group who did not receive training in  ART. Consideration was also given to individual differences of student nurses in each group.Particular attention was paid to the hypotheses that 1) ART is associated with reduced sickness absence in  student nurses when analysed against a comparison group' of student nurses not trained in ART; and 2) ART is  associated with reduced stress in student nurses when compared with student nurses not trained in ART. 'It  is generally concluded that student nurses trained in ART may reduce their level of sickness absence and can  alleviate stress for some student nurses. However, examination of individual student nurse reports of ART and  its usefulness and practice within these group data, suggest more complex interpretations of the study. Despite  the study limitations, implications for methods of stress control for nurses, curriculum development and  cost-effective savings for nursing administrations are suggested, and possibilities for the development of  comprehensive counselling services for nurses are raised. These issues it is suggested, should be examined within a broader programme of research into coping with stress amongst nurses.