Nurses’ psychological changes and coping strategies during home isolation for the 2019 novel coronavirus in China: A qualitative study

Aims To explore the psychological changes of nurses during home isolation, the factors that related with these changes, and coping strategies in home isolation during the epidemic of COVID‐19 in China. Design A qualitative study based on grounded theory. Methods Individual semi‐structured telephone interviews were conducted from January 2020‐February 2020 with 10 nurses who were isolated at home sharing the experiences of the epidemic of COVID‐19. All interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and analysed using constant comparative data analysis. Results Analyses of the collected data reveal that the psychological changes of nurses during home isolation reflect a complex, dynamic, and gradually adaptive process that was affected by many factors. Nurses had many negative emotional reactions in the early stages of isolation and positive emotions gradually increased during home isolation. After release from home isolation, they become more confident and calm after. Six categories of coping strategies were identified, including reasoned cognition; autosuggestion; develop healthy protective behaviours; shifting attention; social support; and the power of a role model. Conclusions The study provides a better understanding of the psychological changes and the coping strategies used among nurses isolated at home. It is necessary to pay more attention to negative emotions in the early stages of home isolation to help nurses adjust quickly. The coping strategies used by nurses are likely to help those in home isolation reduce negative psychological changes and experience more optimal self‐adjustment. Impact This study explored the psychological changes and coping strategies of home isolation among nurses, providing useful advice for psychologists to develop psychological crisis interventions to help individuals reduce negative psychological and have more actively coping strategies when faced sudden stressful infectious diseases. 摘要 目标 探讨中国新冠肺炎居家隔离期间护士的心理变化及其相关因素,还有居家隔离的应对策略。 设计 基于实地理论的定性研究。 方法 从2020年1月至2月,对10名居家隔离的护士进行半结构化电话采访,让其分享他们在新冠肺炎疫情期间的经历。所有访谈内容均进行录音、转录,并使用持续的比较数据分析方法进行分析。 结果 通过对收集到的数据进行分析,发现护士在居家隔离期间的心理变化是一个复杂的、动态的、逐渐适应的过程,且受到多种因素的影响。护士在隔离早期出现许多负面情绪反应,然后在居家隔离期间积极情绪逐渐增多。解除居家隔离后,他们变得更加自信和冷静。确定了六种应对策略,包括理性认知、自我暗示、培养健康的保护行为、转移注意力、社会支持和榜样力量。 结论 这项研究有助于更好地了解居家隔离护士的心理变化和应对策略。在居家隔离的早期阶段,有必要更多地关注他们的负面情绪,帮助他们快速调整。护士采取的应对策略可能有助于那些居家隔绝人员减少消极的心理变化,进行更好的自我调整。 影响 本研究探讨了护士在居家隔离期间的心理变化及应对策略,为心理医生制定心理危机干预措施提供有益的建议,以帮助个体在面对突发性应激性传染病时,减少消极心理,采取更积极的应对策略。