Date
1-16-2025
Department
School of Behavioral Sciences
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD)
Chair
Robyn Brown
Keywords
hospice nurses, palliative care, secondary organization-level intervention, stress, support groups
Disciplines
Psychology
Recommended Citation
Allen, Sade A., "Investigating the Perceived Efficacy of Support Groups as a Secondary-Organization Stress Intervention Measure for Hospice Nurses" (2025). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 6421.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/6421
Abstract
This dissertation investigated the perceived efficacy of support groups as a secondary organizational intervention measure for hospice nurses. Workplace stress is a common issue in hospice care that impacts workers negatively. It results in declining mental, physical, and social wellness. While research indicates significant benefits of support groups, they are not commonly applied in hospice care. Support groups have been widely used in mental health for years to share information and experiences and discuss problems. This dissertation interviewed eight participants using a qualitative case study approach. The participants were recruited from an online hospice nurse group on Facebook. The information obtained was analyzed using the six steps designed by Creswell in the data analysis. This study showed the significance of support groups in improving the well-being of hospice nurses. Healthcare organizations have the potential to enhance the overall well-being of their nursing staff and achieve improved outcomes for patients and caregivers. This can be accomplished by establishing a nurturing environment, providing user-friendly platforms, and implementing efficient moderation techniques. This research has provided a framework for future research to investigate support groups further as a stress-coping mechanism in organizations.
