The Effect of Anonymous Group Psychotherapy Via Teleconference on Reducing Chronic Anxiety In Nurses, Victims of Workplace Harassment
*1Research Fellow, Nursing Department, Hellenic Mediterranean University, Greece.
2Associate Professor, Department of Nursing, Hellenic Mediterranean University, Greece.
3Professor, Neapolis University Pafos, Cyprus.
4Professor, Nursing Department, University of Peloponnese, Greece.
5Professor, Neapolis University Pafos, Cyprus.
6Department of Clinical Psychology, Corinth Prison, Greece.
7Research Fellow, Hellenic Open University, Greece.
8Nursing Department, University of Peloponnese, Greece
Maniou Maria, Kleisiaris Christos, et al., “The Effect of Anonymous Group Psychotherapy Via Teleconference
on Reducing Chronic Anxiety In Nurses, Victims of Workplace Harassment”, American Research Journal of Nursing, Vol
7, no. 1, 2021, pp. 1-11.
Abstract
Background: It is widely accepted that harassment in the workplace may have negative effects on the mental and physical
health of nurses. We hypothesized therefore that short schema psychotherapy may reduce chronic anxiety symptoms thus
improve nurses quality of life.
Purpose: This study is sought to identify the effectiveness of anonymous group psychotherapy via teleconference on
victims of workplace harassment in nursing personnel working on NHS of Greece.
Method: A case-control study enrolled 14 nurses victims of workplace harassment were randomly allocated in parallel
and anonymous psychotherapy groups during August 2017 and January 2018. A qualified psychologist delivered a
schema method to reduce chronic anxiety in the intervention group. Validated screening tools were used to assess anxiety
State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and the Hamilton Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) to assess the intensity of
the anxiety. Individuals characteristics were also assessed. P-values >0.50 were considered statistically significant.
Results: Significant chronic anxiety reduction were presented in the psychotherapy group compared to the control group
(p-value = 0.038). In particular, individuals before the intervention (week 0, t = 0), presented with a higher level of chronic
anxiety (STAI= mean 81.42) in comparison to (mean 67.28 - week 14, t = 1) after the intervention, suggesting that the
psychotherapy schema was efficient. Similarly, decreased anxiety symptoms were also found after the intervention (mean
9.71 to 4.85) using the Hamilton Anxiety Scale. No other significant differences were found even though most of the
participants were females.
Conclusions: Our data suggest that anonymous group psychotherapy via teleconference is a safe and effective method to
reduce chronic anxiety in victims of workplace harassment.
