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Cognitive coping intervention for acutely ill HIV‐positive men
Author(s) -
Côté José K,
Pepler Carolyn
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
journal of clinical nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.94
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1365-2702
pISSN - 0962-1067
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2702.2004.01067.x
Subject(s) - coping (psychology) , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , cognition , clinical psychology , psychology , medicine , intervention (counseling) , nursing , psychotherapist , psychiatry , family medicine
Aim. A nursing intervention was designed that is intended to develop, maintain and strengthen the patient's cognitive coping skills to regulate emotional response to severe physical symptoms. It was tested in a randomized trial reported elsewhere and this article describes the intervention and discusses its application. Background. Research shows that psychological distress and depressive symptoms are likely to increase with the development of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐related physical symptoms. Nurses who work with HIV‐positive individuals have an opportunity to influence their patients’ health experiences substantially. Clinical application. The intervention was carried out with hospitalized HIV patients who had to cope with an acute period of stress due to an exacerbation of HIV‐related symptoms. The intervention was administered on three consecutive days, in 20–30‐minute sessions. The features of the intervention in relation to two examples of patient profiles are described: patients needing to develop their cognitive skills to regulate severe emotional distress and patients with effective cognitive coping skills. Relevance to clinical practice. The intervention empowers nurses by offering an effective approach to deal with individuals who are facing severe illness. It has also the potential to empower patients both to take advantage of their own personal resources and to take control over their situation.