Psychological First Aid Training for Nursing Students

NCT ID: NCT07086170

Last Updated: 2025-07-25

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 132 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2023-04-02
• Study Completion Date: 2023-07-20

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the effect of psychological first aid (PFA) training on disaster response and psychological first aid application self-efficacy among nursing students. The study included 132 participants, with 72 in the intervention group and 60 in the control group. The intervention group received six 60-minute online PFA training sessions over three weeks. Data were collected using the Personal Information Form, Disaster Response Self-Efficacy Scale (DRSES), and the Psychological First Aid Application Self-Efficacy Scale. After the training and follow-up, the intervention group showed significantly higher self-efficacy scores across all DRSES sub-dimensions and in applying PFA, compared to the control group. Findings suggest that integrating PFA training into nursing education can enhance students' readiness and competence in disaster response.

Detailed Description

Disasters pose significant challenges to healthcare systems and frontline professionals, particularly nurses. Psychological first aid (PFA) is a fundamental psychosocial support approach that aims to reduce stress, promote adaptive functioning, and improve psychological well-being in individuals affected by disasters. However, nursing students often lack formal training in disaster preparedness and psychosocial interventions.

This randomized controlled trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of psychological first aid training on disaster response self-efficacy and psychological first aid application self-efficacy among senior nursing students. The study was designed according to the CONSORT guidelines and included a total of 132 participants, with 72 students in the intervention group and 60 in the control group. Students in the intervention group received a total of six 60-minute online PFA training sessions delivered twice a week for three weeks. The training content was based on internationally recognized PFA principles.

Data collection tools included the Personal Information Form, the Disaster Response Self-Efficacy Scale (DRSES), and the Psychological First Aid Application Self-Efficacy Scale. Measurements were taken before the training, immediately after the training, and at 3 months follow-up. Results showed significant improvements in the intervention group's scores across all sub-dimensions of disaster response self-efficacy (on-site rescue competency, disaster psychological nursing competency, quality of role undertaken, and adaptation competency) and in their perceived self-efficacy to apply PFA, compared to the control group.

These findings emphasize the importance of integrating structured PFA training into nursing education to enhance disaster preparedness and psychosocial intervention competencies among future healthcare professionals.

Conditions

Emergency Preparedness; Nursing Students; Crisis Intervention; Self-Efficacy

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: OTHER
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

Intervention Group

This group received online psychological first aid (PFA) training. Students were randomly divided into four subgroups. Each group received six 60-minute sessions over three weeks. Sessions included slides, videos, Q\&A, role-plays, and case-based discussions. Group members shared thoughts, asked questions, and practiced PFA scenarios. A 17-minute PFA video was also shown. The training was delivered by the researcher and emphasized core PFA principles such as safety, calmness, and self-efficacy.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Psychological First Aid Training

Intervention Type: OTHER

Structured training based on psychological first aid principles. Delivered in six 60-minute sessions over three weeks. Includes theoretical content, interactive methods, and case-based exercises to build disaster response competencies.

Control Group

Participants in this group did not receive any training during the study period. They continued with their standard nursing curriculum without any additional intervention.

Group Type: NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Interventions

Psychological First Aid Training

Structured training based on psychological first aid principles. Delivered in six 60-minute sessions over three weeks. Includes theoretical content, interactive methods, and case-based exercises to build disaster response competencies.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Other Intervention Names

PFA Training

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

Were fourth-year nursing students at the participating universities

Had not previously participated in similar training that could bias results

Had not received any prior psychological first aid (PFA) training or services

Had no internet access problems during the intervention period -

Exclusion Criteria

Students who withdrew from the study voluntarily during the intervention process

Participants who experienced technical issues that prevented their attendance in most training sessions

Individuals with prior experience in psychological first aid or formal training in disaster response

-

• Minimum Eligible Age: 21 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 24 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

Nurhayat Kiliç Bayageldi

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Nurhayat Kiliç Bayageldi

Assistant Professor

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Nurhayat KILIÇ BAYAGELDİ, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Artvin Coruh University

Locations

Artvin Coruh University

Artvin, , Turkey (Türkiye)

Countries

Turkey (Türkiye)

Other Identifiers

E-18457941-050.99-50732

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id