The Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing
Vol. 37 No. 5 September/October 2006
By Jill E. Bormann, PhD, RN; Sheryl Becker, MN, RN; Madeline Gershwin, MA, RN; Ann Kelly, MSN, APRN, BC; Laureen Pada, MSN/MBA, RN; Tom L. Smith, PhD; Allen L. Gifford, MD
BACKGROUND
Healthcare workers report high levels of stress in the workplace. To determine how to reduce stress, the authors examined the effectiveness of frequently repeating a mantram (a word with spiritual meaning) on emotional and spiritual well-being.
METHODS
A pretest–posttest design was used to measure stress, state/trait anxiety and anger, quality of life, and spiritual well-being in a convenience sample (N = 42) of hospital workers completing a mantram intervention program.
RESULTS
Significant improvements were found in stress (p < .001), trait-anxiety (p = .002), trait-anger (p = .02), quality of life (p = .001), and spiritual well-being (p = .003). When examining the effects of mantram practice, trait-anxiety and religious and spiritual well-being were significant (p < .05).
CONCLUSION
Improvements in emotional and spiritual well-being may be mediated by frequent mantram repetition.
AUTHORS
Dr. Bormann is Research Nurse Scientist, VA San Diego Healthcare System, and Adjunct Nursing Research Professor, School of Nursing, San Diego State University, San Diego, California. Ms. Becker and Ms. Gershwin are Nurse Case Managers, Nursing Service, and Ms. Pada is Patient Health Education Coordinator, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California. Ms. Kelly is Nurse Educator, National University and VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California. Dr. Smith is Principal Statistician, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California. Dr. Gifford is Associate Professor of Public Heath and Medicine, Boston University, and Associate Director, VA Bedford Center for Health Quality, Outcomes and Economic Research, Boston, Massachusetts.
The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Address correspondence to Jill E. Bormann, PhD, RN, VA San Diego Healthcare System 111N-1, 3350 La Jolla Village Drive, San Diego, CA 92161. Email: jill.bormann@va.gov, or visit http://jillbormann.com.
