NML Issue 9
NMLTT
2021
Protect.
Invest.
Together.
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5 MINUTES WITH A LEADER: PSYCHOSOCIAL CHALLENGES FACED BY NURSES AND MIDWIVES DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC Psychosocial challenges, refer to the negative impacts imposed on an individual when both psychological and social needs are not met or fulfilled as expected. The psychosocial effects are felt on both the mind and body. The reason is sophisticated and hypothetical, and its response depends on external environmental stimulus. For example, when information is pleasant to the individual, it responds positively, but when it’s unpleasant, it reacts negatively. Similarly, when needs are fulfilled, it responds positively; however, it responds negatively if demands are not satisfied. However, this also depends on the individual’s mechanisms of coping and resilience. People with solid strength quickly overcome challenges. Those with weak power find it hard to manage, experiencing mental health symptoms such as stress, depression, anxiety, phobias, panic, unresolved persistent physical symptoms, and other mental disorders. The Nurse or Midwife has a mental aspect of health that can be affected by her nature of work; if this is not resolved, it can affect his/her psychological and social functioning. Psychologically the Nurse/Midwife may develop disturbance in thinking, reasoning, decision making, perception, and behaviour. It can also lead to dysfunction in work, relationships with colleagues, friends, family members, and level of cooperation. If the Nurse/Midwife can adjust, she/he can deal away with the situation but, if not, may develop mental health problems that require intervention. Psychosocial challenges faced by Midwives/Nurses during the covid-19 pandemic. The pandemic has not spared health workers of the effects of Covid-19, especially the psychosocial challenges that have significantly impacted their lives. These include:• • • • • • • • • • • • •
Persistent fear of contracting the disease. Nightmares and terrors Anxiety Psychological nervous loss of appetite Depression Stigma Discrimination Mistrust by family members due to the nature of their work Unstable family relationships including divorce due to the nature of her work. Self-blame for the death of patients. Failure to attend to their families socially. Increased workload due to managing patients with multiple problems/conditions. Failure to provide psychosocial support to others. 13
