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Impact of a Mobile Application-Based Intervention on Mental Health and Stress Coping Strategies among Nurses: A Randomized Controlled Trial

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DOI: 10.21522/TIJAR.2014.13.03.Art022

Authors : Shyna Noronha

Abstract:

Health is wealth. Nurses serve as the backbone of the healthcare system. Yet, the demanding nature of clinical practice - including extended working hours, rotational shifts, low payrolls, emotional strain, and continuous exposure to occupational stressors - significantly affects their mental well-being and professional efficiency. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a mobile application-based intervention in enhancing mental health and reducing stress among nurses employed in tertiary care hospitals. A pre-test and post-test parallel-group design was adopted among 36 registered nurses selected through simple random sampling in Mangalore, Karnataka, India. Participants were allocated into intervention and control groups, with the intervention group receiving the wellness-focused mobile application for one month while the control group received standard information. Data were collected using validated instruments, including the WHO-5 Well-Being Index, Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-4), and Brief COPE Inventory. Statistical analysis incorporated descriptive and inferential measures such as paired t-tests, independent t-tests, and chi-square tests. Between-group comparisons at post-test showed that the intervention group had significantly lower stress scores and significantly higher coping scores than the control group, while mental health scores improved significantly within the intervention group over time but did not differ significantly from the control group at post-test, likely reflecting the modest sample size. These findings indicate that digital mental health strategies can meaningfully reduce stress and strengthen coping abilities among nurses, supporting further investigation of their potential to improve broader psychological well-being. This research study concludes that mobile application-based interventions offer an innovative, accessible, and cost-effective solution to enhancing mental health, stress management, and emotional well-being among nurses in healthcare settings.

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