Effectiveness of Resilience Training on Psychological Hardiness, Optimism, and Adjustment in Nurses of the Infectious Diseases Ward

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of resilience training on psychological hardiness, optimism, and adjustment among nurses working in the infectious diseases ward. This research employed a quasi-experimental design with a pretest–posttest structure and a control group. The statistical population consisted of 110 nurses, from whom 40 were selected using simple random sampling and allocated to the experimental (n=20) and control (n=20) groups. Data collection tools included the Psychological Hardiness Scale (Kiaymarthi et al., 2008), the Attributional Style Questionnaire for optimism (Peterson et al., 1982), and Bell’s Adjustment Scale (1961). The experimental group received nine sessions of resilience training based on the Henderson and Milstein (1997) model. Data analysis was conducted using ANCOVA in SPSS-26. ANCOVA results indicated that resilience training had a significant effect on all three dependent variables. Psychological hardiness showed a significant increase (F=39.77, p<0.01), as did optimism (F=37.33, p<0.01) and adjustment (F=42.61, p<0.01). Effect sizes (eta squared) were 0.42 for hardiness, 0.39 for optimism, and 0.45 for adjustment. Posttest means in the experimental group increased markedly compared with the control group: hardiness from 48.06 to 57.36, optimism from 16.68 to 24.53, and adjustment from 69.37 to 84.21. Overall, resilience training demonstrated substantial effectiveness in enhancing psychological hardiness, increasing optimism, and improving adjustment among nurses. This intervention can serve as a practical strategy to support psychological well-being and coping capacities in healthcare staff, particularly in high-stress units such as infectious disease wards.