Enhancing Quality of Life through Coping Strategies: A Study Among Staff Nurses with Relevance to Oncology and Palliative Care Practice

Abstract

Author(s): K. Balasubramanian*, Anita David*, Uppuluri Sujatha*, S. Malathi, Swarna Deepak Kuragayala, G. Shwetha Kumari and Dasari Gowthami6

Nurses often experience poor work-life balance, with only 2% of female nurses reportedly spending quality time with their families. Additionally, 22% cited long working hours and overtime as barriers to family interaction. Problem-solving was the most common coping strategy employed by nurses in emergency care units. This study aimed to assess the Quality of Life (QoL) and coping strategies among staff nurses in experimental and control groups and evaluate the effectiveness of coping strategies on QoL. A total of 280 staff nurses (140 in each group) from selected hospitals in Tamil Nadu were selected using simple random sampling. Tools included the WHO quality of life scale and the brief COPE inventory. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics via SPSS version 25. Preintervention results showed that 91.43% had average, 8.57% poor, and none had good QoL. Regarding coping, 53.57% exhibited unfavorable, 46.43% moderate, and none had favorable coping levels. A paired t-test revealed a statistically significant improvement in both QoL and coping post-intervention in the experimental group. The study concluded that motivational enhancement therapy significantly improved QoL and coping strategies among staff nurses. These findings support the integration of structured coping enhancement programs in nursing practice, particularly in high-stress units such as oncology and palliative care, where nurses often face emotional strain from prolonged exposure to cancer patients.

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