A model of emotional support for student nurses working in mental health settings in the Western Cape, South Africa : a methodological perspective
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Date
2015
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
UNISA Press
Abstract
The mental health care environment is a stressful environment, especially
among student nurses. The purpose of the study was to develop a model
of emotional support for student nurses working in the mental health care
environment. The objectives were set in two phases: Phase one - identification
of concepts; Phase two - development of a model of emotional support for
student nurses. A theory-generating design, based on a qualitative, explorative
and descriptive research approach, was used to meet the aim of the study. Data
was purposively collected from 40 nursing students using (n=6) focus group
discussions and eight educators and nine clinical staff by way of semi-structured
interviews. Data was analysed by means of Tesch's method of data analysis.
The model was developed by means of the four steps of which the first two are
discussed in this paper as step three and four will be discussed elsewhere. Step
one is the concept development consisting of concept identification and concept definition. A total of 22 concepts were identified, which were synthesised into
six main concepts, namely, positive self-concept, positive work environment,
academic and professional development, effective communication, formal
and informal supportive interventions, and collaboration between the higher
education institution and the mental health care setting. Step two is the model
development during which the main concepts were placed in relation to one
another, which formed an emotional support model for students working in
mental health care settings. This paper gives an account of the methodological
processes that were utilised to meet the aim and objectives of the study.
Description
Keywords
Emotional support, Student nurses, Mental health
Citation
Martin, P.D. & Daniels, F.M. (2015). A model of emotional support for student nurses working in mental health settings in the Western Cape, South Africa : a methodological perspective. Africa Journal of Nursing and Midwifery, 17(1): 134 - 150