Journal article
Reflective practice groups and nurse professional quality of life
Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing, Vol.38(4), pp.49-61
2021
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to examine the relationship between the quality of reflective practice groups and nurses’ professional quality of life.
Background: Previous nursing research has indicated that reflective practice groups are positively associated with personal resources, job resources, and professional quality of life for nurses. The specific impact of the groups however, has not been distinguished from the impact of personal and job resources, and the explanatory mechanisms for the associations are unclear.
Design/Methods: This study utilised a crosssectional, quantitative research methodology with 184 Australian nurses from a regional teaching hospital who attended reflective practice groups (88.5% female). Surveys captured demographics, personal resources (i.e. self-efficacy), job resources (i.e. job autonomy, skill discretion, job social support, and group cohesion) and perceived quality of reflective practice groups, as measured by the Clinical Supervision Evaluation Questionnaire, alongside professional quality of life outcomes.
Results: Participants who rated reflective practice groups as ‘high quality’ or more effective were associated with significantly higher scores for personal and job resources of self-efficacy, autonomy, skill discretion, social support, and group cohesion. These resources, in turn, correlated with more positive professional quality of life scores; in particular compassion satisfaction and burnout.
Discussion: While the study used cross-sectional data and causality cannot be inferred, the findings do indicate a clear association between attending effectively facilitated reflective practice groups and greater personal and job resources. This may indicate that the groups provide nurses with an opportunity to build or enhance these resources. Furthermore, it is proposed that this could explain a mechanism by which reflective practice groups can indirectly impact positively on professional quality of life for nurses by building resources. Future research should explore causality longitudinally.
Conclusion: This study provides evidence that nurses who perceive the groups favorably have greater social support, enhanced self-efficacy, more autonomy, and increased skill discretion. These factors also align with the restorative and formative benefits of supervision. Greater personal and job resources, in turn, can enhance professional quality of life. Whilst mediating pathways have been identified, it is still not possible to definitively attribute the development of these resources to group participation.
Details
- Title
- Reflective practice groups and nurse professional quality of life
- Authors
- Madison KM Sundgren (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - LegacyPrudence M Millear (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - LegacyChris Dawber (Author) - Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health ServiceLuigi Medoro (Author) - Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service
- Publication details
- Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing, Vol.38(4), pp.49-61
- Publisher
- Australian Nursing & Midwifery Federation
- DOI
- 10.37464/2020.384.355
- ISSN
- 1447-4328
- Organisation Unit
- Engage Research Lab; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy; School of Health - Psychology
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99589108802621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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- Nursing
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