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Assessment of Acceptability and Initial Effectiveness of a Unified Protocol Prevention Program to Train Emotional Regulation Skills in Female Nursing Professionals during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Author

Listed:
  • Vanesa Ferreres-Galán

    (Mental Health Unit of the Hospital Comarcal of Vinaròs, 12500 Vinaròs, Spain
    Health Research Institute of Aragón, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain)

  • María Vicenta Navarro-Haro

    (Health Research Institute of Aragón, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
    Department of Psychology and Sociology, University of Zaragoza, 44003 Teruel, Spain)

  • Óscar Peris-Baquero

    (Health Research Institute of Aragón, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
    Department of Psychology and Sociology, University of Zaragoza, 44003 Teruel, Spain)

  • Silvia Guillén-Marín

    (Department of Psychology and Sociology, University of Zaragoza, 44003 Teruel, Spain)

  • Jordi de Luna-Hermoso

    (Mental Health Unit of the Hospital Comarcal of Vinaròs, 12500 Vinaròs, Spain)

  • Jorge Osma

    (Health Research Institute of Aragón, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
    Department of Psychology and Sociology, University of Zaragoza, 44003 Teruel, Spain)

Abstract

Healthcare professionals, especially women, have shown increases in anxious-depressive symptoms as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the acceptability and preliminary effectiveness of a Unified Protocol (UP) prevention program to provide emotional regulation skills to cope with stressful situations. The sample consisted of 27 nursing professionals (100% women; mean age: 45.67; SD = 7.71) working in a Spanish public hospital during COVID-19, who were randomized to an immediate treatment group (ITG, n = 13) or to a delayed treatment group (DTG, n = 14, which served as the waiting list control group and received the program 5 weeks after the ITG had received it). The program consisted of five-weekly, two-hour, UP-based group sessions. Variables related to emotional symptomatology, emotional regulation, personality, burnout, and perceived quality of life were evaluated at the following time points: pre- and post-intervention and at 1-, 3-, and 6-month follow-ups. Statistically significant between-group differences showed lower emotional exhaustion and personal accomplishment in favor of the ITG after the intervention. Regarding the effect over time for all participants who received the UP ( n = 27), statistically significant reductions were observed in neuroticism, personal accomplishment, and subjective distress caused by traumatic events (−0.23 ≤ d ≤ −0.73). A statistically significant interaction “Time*Condition” was found in anxiety, with increases in the DTG. Participants showed high satisfaction with the UP. These findings show good acceptability and preliminary effectiveness of the UP to reduce the emotional impact of the pandemic in female nursing workers.

Suggested Citation

  • Vanesa Ferreres-Galán & María Vicenta Navarro-Haro & Óscar Peris-Baquero & Silvia Guillén-Marín & Jordi de Luna-Hermoso & Jorge Osma, 2022. "Assessment of Acceptability and Initial Effectiveness of a Unified Protocol Prevention Program to Train Emotional Regulation Skills in Female Nursing Professionals during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-14, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:9:p:5715-:d:810765
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Lourdes Luceño-Moreno & Beatriz Talavera-Velasco & Yolanda García-Albuerne & Jesús Martín-García, 2020. "Symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Levels of Resilience and Burnout in Spanish Health Personnel during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-29, July.
    2. Bonifacio Sandín & Julia García-Escalera & Rosa M. Valiente & Victoria Espinosa & Paloma Chorot, 2020. "Clinical Utility of an Internet-Delivered Version of the Unified Protocol for Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders in Adolescents (iUP-A): A Pilot Open Trial," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(22), pages 1-17, November.
    3. Gabriele d’Ettorre & Giancarlo Ceccarelli & Letizia Santinelli & Paolo Vassalini & Giuseppe Pietro Innocenti & Francesco Alessandri & Alexia E. Koukopoulos & Alessandro Russo & Gabriella d’Ettorre & L, 2021. "Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms in Healthcare Workers Dealing with the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-16, January.
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