NCT07086170

Psychological First Aid Training for Nursing Students

The Effect of Psychological First Aid Training on Disaster Response Self-Efficacy: A Randomized Controlled Study

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 132 (actual)
• Sponsor: Nurhayat Kiliç Bayageldi · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 21 Years – 24 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

This randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the effect of psychological first aid (PFA) training on disaster response and psychological first aid application self-efficacy among nursing students. The study included 132 participants, with 72 in the intervention group and 60 in the control group. The intervention group received six 60-minute online PFA training sessions over three weeks. Data were collected using the Personal Information Form, Disaster Response Self-Efficacy Scale (DRSES), and the Psychological First Aid Application Self-Efficacy Scale. After the training and follow-up, the intervention group showed significantly higher self-efficacy scores across all DRSES sub-dimensions and in applying PFA, compared to the control group. Findings suggest that integrating PFA training into nursing education can enhance students' readiness and competence in disaster response.

Detailed description

Disasters pose significant challenges to healthcare systems and frontline professionals, particularly nurses. Psychological first aid (PFA) is a fundamental psychosocial support approach that aims to reduce stress, promote adaptive functioning, and improve psychological well-being in individuals affected by disasters. However, nursing students often lack formal training in disaster preparedness and psychosocial interventions. This randomized controlled trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of psychological first aid training on disaster response self-efficacy and psychological first aid application self-efficacy among senior nursing students. The study was designed according to the CONSORT guidelines and included a total of 132 participants, with 72 students in the intervention group and 60 in the control group. Students in the intervention group received a total of six 60-minute online PFA training sessions delivered twice a week for three weeks. The training content was based on internationally recognized PFA principles. Data collection tools included the Personal Information Form, the Disaster Response Self-Efficacy Scale (DRSES), and the Psychological First Aid Application Self-Efficacy Scale. Measurements were taken before the training, immediately after the training, and at 3 months follow-up. Results showed significant improvements in the intervention group's scores across all sub-dimensions of disaster response self-efficacy (on-site rescue competency, disaster psychological nursing competency, quality of role undertaken, and adaptation competency) and in their perceived self-efficacy to apply PFA, compared to the control group. These findings emphasize the importance of integrating structured PFA training into nursing education to enhance disaster preparedness and psychosocial intervention competencies among future healthcare professionals.

Conditions

• Emergency Preparedness
• Nursing Students
• Crisis Intervention
• Self-Efficacy

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Psychological First Aid Training	Structured training based on psychological first aid principles. Delivered in six 60-minute sessions over three weeks. Includes theoretical content, interactive methods, and case-based exercises to build disaster response competencies.

Timeline

• Start date: 2023-04-02
• Primary completion: 2023-04-20
• Completion: 2023-07-20
• First posted: 2025-07-25
• Last updated: 2025-07-25

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Turkey (Türkiye)