Reflecting and Responding: The Impact of Arousal and Mood Changes on Functioning in Nurses with PTSD
Abstract
Introduction: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that impairs daily functioning following exposure to trauma. Recent studies identify nurses are at a particularly high risk of developing PTSD (Fattori et al., 2023; Hernández Bojorge et al., 2024; Negarandeh et al., 2023). While this vulnerability was underscored during the COVID-19 pandemic, prior research indicates that PTSD is a longstanding concern within the profession (Battles, 2007; Czaja et al., 2012). Individuals with PTSD endorse chronic symptoms in five clusters: reexperiencing, avoidance, negative alterations in cognition and mood, and hyperarousal (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Understanding which PTSD domains are associated with functional impairment may be essential to enhancing treatment efficacy in nurses, This study explores the relationship between PTSD symptom clusters and functional impairment in nurses with probable PTSD.
Methods: An interprofessional team of a nurse and two psychologists conducted this study. Data were collected through an online survey of 433 U.S. nurses distributed on social media in 2021. The survey included demographic questions and the Brief Inventory of Psychosocial Functioning (B-IPF), a valid and reliable instrument to assess PTSD–related functional impairment (Kleiman et al., 2020). Hierarchical regression analyses identified factors (work-related, trauma history, and mental health) predicting functional impairment and examined how specific PTSD symptoms affect nurses' day-to-day functioning and workplace performance.
Results: Negative mood alterations (Cluster D) and hyperarousal (Cluster E) were significantly associated with functional impairment in personal and professional life. Higher levels of depression and anxiety correlated with greater impairment. Protective factors included higher education and more years of nursing experience.
Implications for Nursing: Findings highlight the significant impact of mood disturbances and hyperarousal on nurses' functioning and underscore the potential for positive change. By reflecting on nurses’ experiences and responding with effective interventions, we can mitigate PTSD's effects, promote resilience, and improve patient care. Given the ongoing challenges in healthcare settings, including witnessing trauma and additional public health threats, these results are crucial for shaping policies that support nurses' mental health now and in the future.
Notes
Reference list included in attached slide deck.
Published Manuscript:
Scherr, A. E. S., Kellogg, M. B., & Ayotte, B. J. (2025).Functional and workplace impairment: The role of specific symptom clusters of posttraumatic stress disorder among nurses. Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing, 22(3), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1111/wvn.70052
Sigma Membership
Theta Kappa
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Other
Research Approach
Quantitative Research
Keywords:
Stress and Coping, Workforce, Interprofessional and Global Collaboration, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, PTSD, Nurses with PTSD
Recommended Citation
Kellogg, Marni B.; Schierberl Scherr, Anna E.; and Ayotte, Brian J., "Reflecting and Responding: The Impact of Arousal and Mood Changes on Functioning in Nurses with PTSD" (2025). Biennial Convention (CONV). 66.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/convention/2025/presentations_2025/66
Conference Name
48th Biennial Convention
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Conference Year
2025
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Date of Issue
2025-11-20
Reflecting and Responding: The Impact of Arousal and Mood Changes on Functioning in Nurses with PTSD
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Introduction: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that impairs daily functioning following exposure to trauma. Recent studies identify nurses are at a particularly high risk of developing PTSD (Fattori et al., 2023; Hernández Bojorge et al., 2024; Negarandeh et al., 2023). While this vulnerability was underscored during the COVID-19 pandemic, prior research indicates that PTSD is a longstanding concern within the profession (Battles, 2007; Czaja et al., 2012). Individuals with PTSD endorse chronic symptoms in five clusters: reexperiencing, avoidance, negative alterations in cognition and mood, and hyperarousal (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Understanding which PTSD domains are associated with functional impairment may be essential to enhancing treatment efficacy in nurses, This study explores the relationship between PTSD symptom clusters and functional impairment in nurses with probable PTSD.
Methods: An interprofessional team of a nurse and two psychologists conducted this study. Data were collected through an online survey of 433 U.S. nurses distributed on social media in 2021. The survey included demographic questions and the Brief Inventory of Psychosocial Functioning (B-IPF), a valid and reliable instrument to assess PTSD–related functional impairment (Kleiman et al., 2020). Hierarchical regression analyses identified factors (work-related, trauma history, and mental health) predicting functional impairment and examined how specific PTSD symptoms affect nurses' day-to-day functioning and workplace performance.
Results: Negative mood alterations (Cluster D) and hyperarousal (Cluster E) were significantly associated with functional impairment in personal and professional life. Higher levels of depression and anxiety correlated with greater impairment. Protective factors included higher education and more years of nursing experience.
Implications for Nursing: Findings highlight the significant impact of mood disturbances and hyperarousal on nurses' functioning and underscore the potential for positive change. By reflecting on nurses’ experiences and responding with effective interventions, we can mitigate PTSD's effects, promote resilience, and improve patient care. Given the ongoing challenges in healthcare settings, including witnessing trauma and additional public health threats, these results are crucial for shaping policies that support nurses' mental health now and in the future.
Description
This session examines the relationship between PTSD symptom clusters and functional impairment in nurses with probable PTSD. Findings indicate that negative mood alterations and hyperarousal are significantly associated with challenges in personal and professional functioning. Protective factors include higher education and nursing experience. Results emphasize the importance of targeted interventions for nurses to mitigate PTSD's effects, support mental health, and ensure optimal patient care.