Effectiveness of mental health first aid as a supportive tactic on resilience and organisational environment-related factors among hospital nurses in the wake of COVID-19: the search continues.

BACKGROUND

The implementation of Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) has been shown to effectively prevent long-term psychological effects of trauma. Additionally, it aids nurses in stabilising their emotional state and facilitates their practical recovery.

AIM

To investigate the effect of MHFA on resilience capacity, organisational commitment, job insecurity and turnover among nurses working in the COVID-19 isolation units.

METHODS

Sixty nurses in COVID-19 isolation units participated in a quasi-experimental two-group, pre-post-test research. Nurses with low resilience capacity due to the COVID-19 crisis in Egypt completed a baseline survey. The study group employed MHFA strategies using the RAPID model. At the same time, standard psychological care was provided to the control group.

RESULTS

A statistically significant improvement in resilience and organisational commitments mean scores among the study group (62.50 ± 19.33, 21.67 ± 9.66, respectively) post-intervention. Besides, a significant decline in the study group's job insecurity and turnover intention mean scores (8.90 ± 2.32, 8.70 ± 2.34, respectively) after the MHFA intervention.

CONCLUSION

Implementing MHFA enhances nurses' ability to withstand the challenges of COVID-19, significantly boosting their resilience. Additionally, it positively impacts their organisational commitment, reducing both job insecurity and turnover intention.