What the study found
The study found that nurses who received support after adverse events had different levels of distressing experiences, and that psychological capital, meaning a person's positive psychological resources, was part of this relationship. The authors report a partial mediating role for psychological capital.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors conclude that adequate support systems and high psychological capital can help reduce negative emotions and distress in nurses as second victims. They also suggest that hospital administrators should build a fair patient safety culture, provide support tailored to the nurse and the event, and involve psychologists for counseling.
What the researchers tested
The researchers carried out a multicenter cross-sectional study of clinical nurses in six medical institutions in Xuzhou, China. They included nurses with a history of adverse events in the past year and collected 422 valid questionnaires using a social-demographic questionnaire, the Nurse Psychological Capital Scale, and the Second Victim Experience and Support Scale.
What worked and what didn't
Received support was significantly correlated with distressing experiences among nurses after adverse events (r = 0.359, p < 0.01). Received support was also significantly correlated with psychological capital (r = -0.326, p < 0.01), and psychological capital was significantly correlated with distressing experiences (r = -0.434, p < 0.01). Psychological capital showed a partial mediating effect, with a mediating effect size of 0.152, accounting for 32.27% of the total effect.
What to keep in mind
The study was cross-sectional, so it measured associations at one point in time rather than showing cause and effect. The abstract does not describe other limitations.
Key points
- The study examined nurses who had experienced adverse events in the past year.
- Received support and distressing experiences were significantly correlated.
- Psychological capital was negatively correlated with both received support and distressing experiences.
- Psychological capital partly mediated the link between received support and distressing experiences.
- The authors recommend support systems, a fair patient safety culture, and counseling for second victims.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Received support and psychological capital were linked to less nurse distress
- Authors:
- Wei Zong, Jing Qiu, Lin Chen, Meng Zhang, Xiaobin Wang, Xiangguang Yin, Jing Wei
- Institutions:
- Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical College, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical College, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical College, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical College, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical College, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical College, Education Training And Research, Xuzhou Medical College, Xuzhou Medical College, Xuzhou Medical College, Xuzhou Medical College, Xuzhou Medical College, Xuzhou Medical College
- Publication date:
- 2026-03-07
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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