Self-Concept/Stress & Adaptation: January 14th, 2025

Review of Social Determinants of Health

• Social determinants of health are conditions influencing health outcomes.

• Referring to 12 determinants for simplicity in the course.

Health Promotion Strategies

• Health promotion strategies aim to improve patient health and well-being.

• Building rapport is essential, especially with vulnerable populations like the homeless.

  • Example: Offering support and discussing realistic options for housing if discharged.

• Nurses must understand their patients' circumstances to tailor health promotion efforts.

Disease Prevention

• Disease prevention encompasses actions to avoid illness or disease.

• Works in conjunction with health promotion strategies.

Levels of Disease Prevention

1. Primary Prevention

   • Example: Immunizations to prevent diseases before they occur.

2. Secondary Prevention

   • Early detection of diseases through screenings.

3. Tertiary Prevention

   • Rehabilitation and treatment after disease has occurred, such as post-stroke rehabilitation.

Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion

• A foundational document in health promotion with key strategies:

  • Building Healthy Public Policy: Ensuring policies promote health for everyone (e.g., COVID-19 guidelines).

  • Creating Supportive Environments: Enhancing community health by improving living conditions.

  • Strengthening Community Action: Empowering communities to take charge of their health.

  • Developing Personal Skills: Educating individuals to manage their health.

  • Reorienting Health Services: Shifting focus towards health promotion and disease prevention.

Health Promotion Model Questions

• The model integrates health promotion with population health.

• Nurses should always consider:

  • Who: Who is affected by the determinants?

  • What: What actions can be taken to address health issues?

Importance of Self-Concept in Nursing

• Self-concept is the perception nurses have of themselves, affecting their practice.

• Factors influencing self-concept include values, beliefs, and life experiences.

• Nurses' self-esteem impacts their ability to care for patients.

• Recognizing how one's self-concept affects patient care is crucial.

Key Aspects of Self-Esteem

• Self-esteem reflects an individual's feelings of worth and capability.

• Important for mental health and overall well-being.

• Nurses must assess and clarify patients' self-assessment and feelings.

Coping Mechanisms

• Explore adaptive (healthy) and maladaptive (unhealthy) coping strategies with patients.

• Collaboratively identify new solutions or alternatives for coping.

Stress Concepts in Nursing

• Fight or Flight Response: Initial reaction to high-stress situations.

• General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS): Stages are Alarm, Resistance, and Exhaustion.

• Connection between stress hormones (e.g., cortisol) and the immune response.

Types of Crises

• Developmental Crisis: Relates to changes in life stages.

• Situational Crisis: Resulting from external events like job loss or natural disasters.

The Role of Emotional Maturity in Nursing

• Nurses must have a mature understanding of emotions to support patients effectively.

• Balancing positive reinforcement with constructive feedback is essential in the clinical environment.

Recognition of Altered Self-Concept in Patients

• Signs include:

  • Avoidance of eye contact

  • Slumped posture

  • Unkempt appearance

  • Over-apologetic behavior

  • Negative self-talk

Case Study Example

• Addressing a 16-year-old's self-concept post-delivery focusing on appearance and support for adoption while managing her health.

Conclusion and Next Steps

• Review chapters 27 and 30 of the course material before the next class.

• Prepare for discussions on the nursing process, including assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation.