| To better care for patients with substance use disorder, this research study provides an initial exploration of stigmatizing perceptions, and the relationship of empathy and perceived stress on these perceptions in nurses employed in health care settings in Idaho and caring for those with substance use disorder (SUD). SUD is increasing in the rural and urban United States and in Idaho. Research indicates that stigma perceptions of nurses towards those with SUD is common and can result in poorer outcomes. Given that the nurse patient relationship is a cornerstone to improved patient outcomes, stigmatizing perceptions of nurses in caring for those with a SUD can place a barrier to meeting healthcare needs, whereas nurse empathy may lead to improved outcomes.
This study was a nonexperimental cross-sectional survey of nurses employed in both rural and urban settings and who care for individuals with SUD. Variables explored included perceived stress, empathy, and stigma perceptions. Findings indicate that the influence of perceived stress and empathy on stigma perceptions are similar among rural and urban nurses in Idaho, and that there is an inverse relationship between empathy and stigma perceptions in that as empathy decreases, stigma perceptions increase. Perceived stress is negatively correlated with empathy in nurses caring for patients with SUD in this study.
Future research directions include the impact of empathy training of students to care for those experiencing a SUD. In addition, more research is needed that is focused on specifically rural nurses, their challenges, and their perceptions in caring for those with SUD.
Keywords: rural nursing, stigma, empathy, stress, substance use |