RESEARCH ON RELEVANT STRATEGIES FOR IMPROVING PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESS OF ICU NURSES BASED ON EAP MODE OF PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT

Abstract Objectives Study on the improvement of psychological stress among ICU nurses by nursing managers using Employee Assistance Program (EAP) psychological support. Methods A total of 108 ICU nurses from three tertiary hospitals in the local area from May to December 2024 were selected as the research subjects. A severe EAP model was constructed to provide EAP services for the research subjects. The Chinese Nurse Work Stressors Scale, Nurse Burnout Scale, Connor Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), and Self Rating Depression Scale (SDS) were used for pre-and post-study evaluations. Results After intervention, the total score of the Nurse Work Stressors Scale decreased from (82.21 ± 17.53) points to (69.13 ± 16.50) points, the Nurse Burnout Scale score decreased from (88.36 ± 12.01) points to (69.61 ± 11.44) points, the Psychological Resilience Scale score increased from (56.33 ± 4.16) points to (61.01 ± 4.55) points, and the SDS Scale score decreased from (60.32 ± 25.82) points to (53.47 ± 22.56) points, with statistical significance (p<.05). After a 6-month intervention, the decrease in scores of the occupational burnout scale for junior nurses was greater than that for senior nurses (p<.05), while the improvement in scores of the work stressor scale, psychological resilience scale, and self-evaluation of depression scale was smaller for senior nurses (p<.05). Conclusions Providing EAP services to ICU nurses can reduce their sense of occupational burnout and work pressure, increase individual physiological, psychological, and behavioral resilience to cope with occupational stress, effectively maintain nurses’ mental health, and thus improve nursing management and quality development.