AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE  VICARIOUS RESILIENCE IN MENTAL HEALTH NURSING; A CASE STUDY OF  YABA PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background of the study

One important notion in mental health nursing is vicarious resilience. It describes how one gains resilience and personal development by seeing how resilient customers are in the face of adversity [Bui, McInnes, Ennis &. Foster, 2023]. The main emphasis is on the benefits of helping people in difficult situations, such serious illnesses like cancer. The personal growth and wellbeing of healthcare workers are facilitated by this assistance [Ferns et al, 2023]. The notion of vicarious resilience posits that carers and healthcare professionals can benefit from personal growth and change by actively assisting others who have suffered trauma in resiliency and recovery [Nuttman, 2015]. This framework has shown benefits in research on trauma and mental health services and is becoming more and more significant in the fields of psychology, social work, and mental health. When people see or are exposed to the tenacity of others who have overcome hardship, they can experience good psychological and emotional impacts [Nuttman, 2015]. The notion of vicarious resilience originated from the understanding that exposure to distressing stories might cause a condition known as vicarious traumatization (VT). But it can also result in a big change in the caregiver's viewpoint, which strengthens their resilience. For mental health nurses to handle the complexities and demands of their work, resilience is essential, and resilience is critically dependent on tenacity. This paradigm is growing in importance in the domains of psychology, social work, and mental health. Research on trauma and mental health services has demonstrated its advantages. Positive psychological and emotional effects might occur when people witness or are exposed to the perseverance of others who have overcome adversity [Nuttman, 2015]. The awareness that exposure to upsetting stories may result in a condition known as vicarious traumatization (VT) gave rise to the concept of vicarious resilience. However, it can also lead to a significant shift in the caregiver's perspective, which fortifies their resilience. Resilience is crucial, and resilience vitally depends on tenacity, for mental health nurses to manage the complexities and demands of their profession. Improving the definition and theory of vicarious resilience can have a big impact on how therapies are developed and measured to increase efficacy, which can impact both research and real-world use.  The terms VT, secondary traumatic stress (STS), empathic stress, and compassion fatigue are associated with vicarious resilience [Nuttman, 2015]. This idea focusses mostly on the detrimental effects that trauma survivors' support providers could have as a result of hearing horrific tales. The term "visual therapy" (VT) describes the mental impacts and shifts in viewpoint that result from developing an empathic bond with clients' trauma tales [McNeillie, 2021]. When someone learns about upsetting experiences that a close friend or family member went through, they may suffer psychological discomfort and symptoms associated with it. As a result of their work, healthcare professionals may become physically and mentally exhausted; this condition is known as empathy stress or compassion fatigue [Mottaghi, Poursheikhali & Shameli, 2020]. Vicarious resilience, on the other hand, is more concerned with the beneficial benefits and prospective changes that could take place in the body rather than the negative consequences of trauma exposure.  Numerous disciplines, including trauma research, psychotherapy, social work, and mental health nursing, have examined vicarious resilience [Mottaghi, Poursheikhali & Shameli, 2020]. The importance of mental health nursing lies in its capacity to improve the general well-being and quality of life of healthcare workers while simultaneously reducing burnout. When experts work with the resiliency and healing processes of trauma survivors, positive transformation happens. This is a direct advantage to nurses, since it improves their capacity to offer appropriate client assistance.  In the field of mental health, the phenomenon known as "vicarious resilience" is used to characterise the situation in which nurses, who are frequently at the forefront of mental health care, come into contact with patients who have a variety of mental health conditions, including as trauma, violence, anxiety, depression, and addiction [Mottaghi, Poursheikhali & Shameli, 2020]. It is well known that this kind of exposure can lead to emotional exhaustion, burnout, and compassion fatigue. When working with these traumatised individuals, several mental health nurses have experienced success. Clarifying the notion of vicarious resilience is crucial in order to support mental health nurses' capacity to consider positive outcomes while interacting with various types of traumatised patients. It is crucial to carry out more study and look at how this notion is conceived and applied differently in various domains in order to maximise the use of vicarious resilience to improve care. Nursing practice and education might be greatly enhanced by the novel idea of vicarious resilience [Méndez et al, 2021]. Vicarious resilience can have a significant positive effect on patients' mental well-being when nurses compassionately engage with traumatised patients. By enabling medical personnel to see the tenacity and perseverance of their patients, vicarious resilience can also foster resilience and empowerment, even when the carer may suffer stress as a result of this sympathetic connection [Méndez et al, 2021]. To promote self-care and resilience in nursing students, the vicarious resilience idea might be incorporated into the curriculum. People can learn to lessen and avoid vicarious trauma or secondary traumatic stress by developing their emotional intelligence and awareness of vicarious resilience. By giving nursing graduates the skills and information they need to meet the complex difficulties of contemporary nursing practice, this strategy improves their capacity to practice nursing consistently and successfully [Méndez et al, 2021]. Compared to psychotherapists or social workers, nurses could face distinct demands and challenges, which could have an effect on the vicarious resilience process and outcomes. It could be required to modify the tactics and techniques used to encourage vicarious resilience in order to meet the particular needs and work settings of different professions. Multidisciplinary studies are required to advance our knowledge of vicarious resilience and provide workable plans for incorporating it into other relevant domains. Research of this kind can support the development of evidence-based procedures and guidelines that support the general wellbeing and resilience of professionals working in these physically demanding sectors. The psychological health, personal development, and fulfilment that comes from feeling empathetic are all associated with the resilience of mental health nurses. This highlights how important it is for them to retain resilience in the face of challenges at work by using their own self-regulation and the support they receive from their institution. [Méndez et al, 2021]. Understanding and promoting vicarious resilience may offer a unique viewpoint on how mental health nurses may draw strength and meaning from their work with clients going through difficult times, improving their own well-being and career successes. Therefore, conducting further studies to investigate the  vicarious resilience in mental health nursing; A case study of  Yaba psychiatric hospital.

Statement of the problem

As a result of their frequent exposure to the trauma and emotional suffering of their patients, mental health nurses may develop burnout or compassion fatigue, among other stress-related disorders. However, new study indicates that mental health nurses may also become vicarious resilient—a phenomena in which they gain strength and personal development by seeing the resilience and recovery of their patients (Hernández et al., 2020). Although vicarious resilience may benefit mental health nurses, little empirical study has been done on how it affects their general efficacy in providing treatment, work satisfaction, and general well-being. Because they provide direct patient care, mental health nurses may benefit from vicarious resilience by strengthening their emotional resilience, which can mitigate the harmful consequences of exposure to secondary trauma (Engstrom et al., 2018). Furthermore, despite research on the impact of vicarious trauma and burnout on healthcare professionals, little is known about the precise function vicarious resilience plays in reducing these consequences, especially in mental health nursing (Hunter, 2022). Healthcare systems that want to promote the wellbeing of mental health nurses have a problem as a result of this knowledge gap. Hence, the study investigate the vicarious resilience in mental health nursing; A case study of  Yaba psychiatric hospital.

1.3 Objective of the study

The broad objective of the study is to investigate the vicarious resilience in mental health nursing; A case study of  Yaba psychiatric hospital. The specific objectives is as follows

To explore the prevalence of vicarious resilience among mental health nurses in Yaba psychiatric hospital.

To investigate the factors contributing to the development of vicarious resilience in mental health nurses.

To assess the impact of vicarious resilience on the job satisfaction of mental health nurses Yaba psychiatric hospital.

To analyze the coping strategies used by mental health nurses to foster vicarious resilience

1.4 Research questions

The following questions have been prepared to guide the study

What is the prevalence of vicarious resilience among mental health nurses in Yaba psychiatric hospital?

What are the factors contributing to the development of vicarious resilience in mental health nurses?

What is the impact of vicarious resilience on the job satisfaction of mental health nurses Yaba psychiatric hospital?

What are the coping strategies used by mental health nurses to foster vicarious resilience?

1.5 Significance of the study

Findings of the study is important for informing policy and training programs in healthcare institutions. By revealing the factors that contribute to the development of vicarious resilience, such as workplace support, team dynamics, and personal coping strategies, this research can provide evidence-based recommendations for training programs aimed at promoting resilience among nurses. These insights can be used to create a supportive work environment that prioritizes mental health, leading to better nurse retention and higher-quality patient care. Findings of the study will also be significant to the academic community as it will contribute to the existing literature, add to library resources and serve as a guide to future academic researchers.

1.6 Scope of the study

The study focus on the  vicarious resilience in mental health nursing; A case study of  Yaba psychiatric hospital. Empirically, the study will explore the prevalence of vicarious resilience among mental health nurses in Yaba psychiatric hospital, investigate the factors contributing to the development of vicarious resilience in mental health nurses, assess the impact of vicarious resilience on the job satisfaction of mental health nurses Yaba psychiatric hospital and analyze the coping strategies used by mental health nurses to foster vicarious resilience.

Geographically, the study will be delimited to Yaba psychiatric hospital.

1.7 Limitation of the study

Like in every human endeavour, the researchers encountered slight constraints while carrying out the study. The significant constraint are: 

Time: The researcher encountered time constraint as the researcher had to carry out this research along side other academic activities such as attending lectures and other educational activities required of her.

Finance: The researcher incurred more financial expenses in carrying out this study such as typesetting, printing, sourcing for relevant materials, literature, or information and in the data collection process.

Availability of Materials: The researcher encountered challenges in sourcing for literature in this study. The scarcity of literature on the subject due to the nature of the discourse was a limitation to this study.

1.8 Definition of terms

Vicarious Resilience: The process by which mental health professionals experience personal growth and positive emotional transformation through witnessing their patients’ resilience and recovery from trauma.

Mental Health Nursing: A specialized field of nursing that focuses on the care of individuals with mental health disorders, involving the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and support of patients experiencing psychological issues.

Burnout: A state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress and overwork, often leading to reduced job performance and feelings of detachment.

Compassion Fatigue: A form of secondary traumatic stress that results from the emotional toll of caring for individuals experiencing significant emotional or physical pain, leading to reduced empathy and emotional withdrawal.

Secondary Trauma: The emotional distress that results from exposure to another person’s trauma, often experienced by healthcare professionals who work with trauma survivors.

Job Satisfaction: The extent to which an employee feels fulfilled and content with their work, influenced by factors such as working conditions, compensation, and personal accomplishment.

Emotional Resilience: The ability to adapt to stressful situations and bounce back from adversity, particularly in emotionally demanding professions like nursing.

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