Khadejah F. Mahmoud

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Research

Research Title :Comparing Medical-Surgical, Psychiatric– Mental Health, and Addiction Specialty Nurses’ Personal Attitudes, Professional Attitudes, and Motivation Toward Working with Individuals with Alcohol and Opioid Use Problems: Implications for the Nursing Workforce Using a Nationwide Sample

Authors : Khadejah F. Mahmoud, Deborah S. Finnell, Susan M. Sereika, Dawn Lindsay, Ann M. Mitchell

Abstract :Background: Alcohol and opioid use have significant impacts economically and socially at the global and national levels and are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. In 2021, 94% of individuals with substance use disorders reported not receiving any specialty treatment. Thus, building the nursing workforce to care for this population is important. Purpose: To compare the demographics, personal attitudes, professional attitudes, and motivation among three nursing specialty groups (medical-surgical, psychiatric–mental health, and addiction) relative to providing care to persons with alcohol and opioid use problems. Methods: A nationwide online survey was used for this cross-sectional, correlational study. Nurses were recruited from four professional national nursing organizations representative of the three nursing specialty groups. The survey included questions about nurses’ demographics, personal attitudes, professional attitudes, and motivation relative to providing alcohol- and opioid-related care. Results: The study revealed that among the 460 included respondents, nurses’ demographics differed significantly between the three nursing specialty groups in terms of age, years of experience in nursing, primary workplace, and highest degree obtained in nursing. In addition, there were significant differences among the three nursing specialty groups regarding familiarity, perceived dangerousness, social distance, personal responsibility beliefs, and disease model. All professional attitudes and motivation associated with alcohol- and opioid-related care also differed significantly among the three groups. Conclusion: The study findings emphasize the need to prepare all nurses with the needed knowledge and skills to manage substance use–related problems within their workplace

Keywords :Personal attitudes, professional attitudes, motivation, nurses, alcohol use, opioid use.

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Research Title :Predictors of First-Time NCLEX-RN Pass Rate in Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing Students.

Authors : Khadejah F. Mahmoud, Jian Zhao, Do Kyung Kim, Vivian Hui, and Julius Kitutu.

Abstract : Background: An accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program was introduced in an effort to reduce the nursing shortage in response to the growing health demands. Nursing educators strive to examine factors that promote students' success in passing the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) on their first attempt. However, little is known about which factors predict the NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate of ABSN students. Method: This descriptive retrospective study examined academic and nonacademic indicators (e.g., age) that can predict ABSN students' NCLEX-RN first-time pass rates between 2008 and 2019. Results: A total of 591 ABSN students were included in the study. Both GRE (Graduate Record Examination) verbal reasoning scores (p < .001) and cumulative grade point averages (p < .001) were significant predictors. Conclusion: The findings of this study can help inform ABSN programs in terms of admission criteria and curriculum consideration for including standardized tests to improve ABSN students' NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate

Keywords : Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN), nursing students, NCLEX-RN, academic and non-academic indicators, admission criteria

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Research Title :Psychometric Evaluation of a Contemporary Version of the Drug and Drug Problems Perception Questionnaire

Authors :Khadejah F. Mahmoud, Abdallah Abu Khait, Dawn Lindsay, Ann M. Mitchell, Deborah S. Finnell, J. Aaron Johnson.

Abstract :Background: More than 20 years ago, the Drug and Drug Problems Perception Questionnaire (DDPPQ) was developed to examine healthcare providers’ attitudes and perceptions towards individuals who use drugs. In alignment with recommended terminology respectful of this patient population, the 20-item measure was revised using person-centered language. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the psychometricproperties of the person-centered DDPPQ (PC-DDPPQ) version among undergraduate nursing students. Methods: Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were used to examine the PC-DDPPQ factor structure using a cross-sectional design. A convenience sample of 400 students from two nursing schools located in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions of the US participated in the study. The sample (N = 400) was divided equally between the exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Results: After applying principal axis factoring (PAF) with oblique (Promax) rotation, the EFA yielded a five-factor, 20-item structure that explained 70.0% of the variance. The CFA revealed that the final model, derived from the EFA, which yielded a 19-item, five-factor structure adequately fit the data (Comparative Fit Index (CFI) = 0.959, the Tucker-Lewis Index (TLI) = 0.951 and Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA) = 0.058). Conclusions: Except for one item (item #14), the five-factor structure aligned with the original 20-item version. This study contributes to promoting the use of a more appropriate and less stigmatizing language among healthcare providers working with patients who use drugs.

Keywords : Drug problems, Questionnaire, Person-centered language, Undergraduate nursing students.

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Research Title :Factors associated with nurses’ motivation to provide care for patients with alcohol use and alcohol use-related problems

Authors : Khadejah F. Mahmoud, Deborah S. Finnell, Susan M. Sereika, Dawn Lindsay, Janet Cipkala-Gaffin, and Ann M. Mitchell

Abstract :Background: There is a high human and economic cost associated with alcohol use and alcohol use-related problems. Nurses have a pivotal role in addressing the needs of this patient population. Purpose: The study aimed to examine the correlation between nurses’ demographics/background characteristics, personal attitudes, professional attitudes, and their motivation to provide care to patients with alcohol use and alcohol use-related problems. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional correlational design was utilized. Nurses were recruited from four Southwestern Pennsylvania hospitals. The study variables were examined using questionnaires that explored nurses’ demographic/background characteristics, their personal and professional attitudes, and motivation to care for patients with alcohol use and alcohol use-related problems. Results: The sample included 234 nurses. Demographic/background characteristics were identified as associated with nurse’s alcohol use-related motivation, including gender, primary work setting and specialization. Previous personal experience with alcohol use-related problems (nurses themselves or co-workers), familiarity, perceived dangerousness, fear, social distance, personal responsibility beliefs and disease model were also associated with nurses’ alcohol use-related motivation to care for these patients. In addition, all professional attitudes were associated with nurses’ motivation toward caring for patients with alcohol use and alcohol use-related problems. Conclusions: The study revealed that certain demographic/background characteristics and personal and professional attitudes were associated with nurses’ motivation to provide care to this patient population. This study provides the foundation for future studies aimed at exploring predictors of nurse’s motivation to care for patients with alcohol use and alcohol use-related problems.

Keywords : nurses, motivation, factors, alcohol use, alcohol use problems

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Research Title :A Moderated Mediation Model of Social Support on the Association between Coping Strategies and Psycho-Emotional Distress of Healthcare Professionals Caring for Children with Autism.

Authors :Abdallah Abu Khait , Austin Menger , Khadejah F Mahmoud , Shaher H Hamaideh

Abstract :Healthcare professionals caring for children with autism spectrum disorder are more likely to be emotionally and psychologically distressed because of the children's challenging behaviors. This study aimed to investigate whether social support mediates the association between coping strategies and perceived emotional and psychological distress among professionals working with children with autism spectrum disorder. Additionally, this study explored the moderating effect of autism severity on this mediation. The study's design is cross-sectional, correlational, and predictive. An online, self-administered questionnaire was used to recruit a convenience sample of 180 healthcare professionals working with children with autism spectrum disorder. The results revealed a significant mediation effect of family social support on the relationship between problem-focused coping and psychological distress for those dealing with moderate or severe autism. Likewise, there was also a significant mediation effect of family social support on the relationship between avoidant coping and psychological distress for those dealing with moderate autism. Familial social support can serve as a protective factor for healthcare professionals caring for children with autism against accumulated psychological distress. The direct effect of avoidant coping strategies on emotional distress changes depending on autism severity. The study's findings are informative to mental health nurses to create more effective coping strategies as problem-solving interventions or develop new coping strategies based on familial social support for those working with children with autism.

Keywords : autism spectrum disorder, emotional distress, psychological distress, healthcare professionals, social support.

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Research Title :: Effectiveness of Telephone-based Interpersonal Psychotherapy on Antenatal Depression: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial in the Kingdom of Jordan

Authors : Sanaa Abujilban, Hasan Al-Omari, Esra'a Issa, Ayat ALhamdan, Lama Al-Nabulsi, Lina Mrayan, Khadejah F Mahmoud, W George Kernohan

Abstract :Background: Jordanian pregnant women report high prevalence of antenatal depressive symptoms, compared to their counterparts internationally. One potential nonpharmacological intervention is Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT), accessed by telephone. Aim: The aim of this study is to compare the depressive symptom level(s) among Jordanian pregnant women who received IPT treatment with those who received routine antenatal care. Methods: A prospective randomized controlled trial design was used. Following ethical approval, a sample of 100 pregnant women (50 in each group) at 24 to 37 weeks gestation, was drawn from one governmental public hospital. Seven sessions (each half an hour) of telephone-based IPT were offered twice weekly to those assigned to the intervention arm: one pretherapy orientation, five intermediates, and one closing session. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale was administered before and after the intervention. Analysis of covariance was used to detect the intervention effect. The two groups were matched based on demographic and health characteristics. Results: Compared to the control group, pregnant women who received the intervention reported fewer depressive symptoms. Conclusions: Midwives and general nurses should screen all pregnant women for symptoms of depression. The effectiveness of IPT treatment in alleviating depressive symptoms indicates the importance of using such supportive interventions by midwives and general nurses, who are trained in psycho-educational counseling techniques. Moreover, data provided by this study may encourage policymakers to legislate policies that make psychotherapists available and accessible in antenatal care units and ensure that staff have adequate training via continuing education programs to screen for antenatal depressive symptoms.

Keywords :Jordan; antenatal depression; interpersonal psychotherapy.

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Dr. Khadejah Fahmi Mahmoud

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