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Application of Jean Watson’s Theory in Nursing Practice: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Pediatric Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

2 Education Development Center, Sirjan School of Medical Sciences, Sirjan, Iran

3 Department of Nursing and Midwifery, Sirjan School of Medical Sciences, Sirjan, Iran

Abstract

 Background: Empathy and its practice in nursing is a fundamental component in the care of patients, especially children with epilepsy. This study aimed to investigate the impact of empathetic nursing care, based on Jean Watson’s model of Human Caring, on the happiness and anxiety of mothers and their children with epilepsy.
Methods: This quasi-experimental study with a non-equivalent control group involved 100 participants (50 mothers and 50 children) at Tehran Children’s Medical Center, recruited via convenience sampling after obtaining ethical approval. Participants entered the study based on pre-determined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The intervention included two 14-hour virtual training sessions for nurses, focusing on key components of empathetic care such as active listening and emotional support. Data collection utilized validated instruments: the Oxford Happiness Inventory, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Spence Children’s Anxiety Scale (SCAS), Children’s Happiness Scale, Jefferson Scale of Empathy, and a performance observation checklist. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS version 21, employing descriptive statistics, t-tests, Chi-square, and Fisher’s exact tests with a significance level set at P < 0.05.
Results: The findings showed a statistically significant difference between children’s happiness in the intervention group (2.99 ± 0.21) in comparison to the control group (2.77 ± 0.32). Also, a similar trend was observed for mothers’ happiness (39.32 ± 5.79 versus 33.40 ± 13.36; P = 0.048). Besides, the mean of children’s anxiety scores (32.40 ± 11.07) was significantly lower than the control group (P = 0.015). Mothers’ anxiety in the intervention group (7.68 ± 2.05) was significantly different from the control group (P = 0.022).
Conclusion: Empathetic nursing care, guided by the Caritas Processes, plays a crucial role in improving the happiness of mothers and children with epilepsy, while reducing the anxiety levels. This highlights the importance of implementing empathetic care strategies in clinical settings. To enhance this positive impact, it is essential to develop training programs for healthcare professionals focused on empathetic care techniques, as well as to establish support groups for mothers and children to promote community engagement and the exchange of coping strategies. Additionally, ongoing research is needed to explore the long-term effects of empathetic care on mental health outcomes in families affected by epilepsy.

Keywords

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References
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Journal of Kerman University of Medical Sciences
Volume 32
Pages 1-12
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