Abstract
Nurses continue to experience workplace traumatic experiences resulting in PTSD. This study sought to quantify post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) prevalence rates in pediatric nurses; identify the strength, direction, and predictive relationship between PTSD and psychological capital (PsyCap), psychological safety, coworker support, and supervisor support; and explore nurses’ perceptions and coping strategies for dealing with work-related trauma. A convergent parallel mixed-methods cross-sectional, correlational-predictive online research study design utilizing the Conservation of Resources theoretical framework was utilized for this work. A convenience sample of pediatric nurses working in direct patient care in the United States was targeted for recruitment. Instruments used in this study included: Post-Traumatic Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), Psychological Capital Questionnaire (PCQ), Psychological Safety tool, Coworker Support Scale (CSS), and Supervisor Support Scale (SSS). Descriptive and inferential statistics, including hierarchical regression models, were used.One hundred and seventy-one participants were included in the analysis. Results indicated that 56.7 % met the cut point for full PTSD criteria. PTSD symptoms were inversely related to nurses’ Psychological Capital and PsyCap scores. Additionally, Psychological Safety and PsyCap were independent predictors of PTSD when entered in the hierarchical regression analysis model. A joint display table was developed to integrate qualitative and quantitative findings.PTSD is a concern for direct-care pediatric nurses. Findings from the hierarchical regression analysis lend important insight into workforce factors (Psychological Safety) and intrapersonal qualities (PsyCap) affecting PTSD symptomology in pediatric nurses. Qualitative comments support the importance of coworker, leader, and organizational support for individuals. This is the first study to examine PTSD rates in a nationwide sample of pediatric nurses and nurse practitioners of various subspecialties across different organizations and to examine the simultaneous influence of PsyCap, psychological safety, coworker support, and supervisor support. Findings provide insights for the design of targeted interventions for the intrapersonal, interpersonal, and organizational levels of influence to support nurse wellbeing when considering the impact work work-related PTSD.