Self-regulation for hyper and hypo arousal states for foster care adolescents: an educational booklet for nurses.
Jylhä, Jussi; Correa, Raul (2023)
2023
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2023110828862
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2023110828862
Tiivistelmä
The challenging environment in foster care for adolescents can be attributed to the residents' hyper and hypo arousal states, and the unhealthy choices to self-regulate their emotions. Since no research was found about nurses with self-regulation skills and readiness, or synonymous, to work in foster care for adolescents, an educational booklet for nurses that focused on the use of exercise and mindfulness as healthy means to self-regulate was compiled. The purpose of the booklet was to provide foster care nurses with the tools needed to support and strengthen self-regulation of hypo and hyper arousal states in adolescents. Special foster care unit Kotopelto was partner in this co-design thesis because nurses with self-regulation skills could improve the environment and make foster care for adolescents a more appealing workplace.
The theoretical framework of this functional thesis came from the latest evidence-based practice from national and international institutions, academic books and research articles, and the booklet’s content came from Evidence Based Medical Guidelines and Duodecim. A qualitative methodology was utilized to assess the booklet as 3 nurses from Kotopelto evaluated the booklet's functionality in a feedback.
The evaluation indicated that some nurses adjusted their efforts as per the adolescents' mood so that the adolescents comply with the institution's daily agenda; Nevertheless, such quick solutions do not treat the adolescents' dysregulated behavior. Also, self-regulation was not a well-known subject as more practical examples were suggested in the feedback. The interest of the nurses in self-regulation was important because uncontrolled hyper and hypo arousal states can lead to health issues for the adolescents and a more challenging working environment for the nurses.
The result of the evaluation is that the booklet successfully explained hyper and hypo arousal states, and that self-regulation can be utilized as part of the adolescents' treatment. This booklet could be utilized as introductory material for new nurses working in foster care because it provided information and guidelines that can be implemented by any nurse regardless of experience. The main conclusion is that new nurses working in foster care for adolescents needed more support about treatment practices for the adolescents hyper and hypo arousal estate.
As a recommendation for future research, the booklet could provide more self-regulation treatments like arts with painting, or the stimulation of the vagus nerve with breathing exercises, or other non-traditional treatments. Other researchers can investigate which self-regulation treatment could be more effective, and if the results are individual or general.
The theoretical framework of this functional thesis came from the latest evidence-based practice from national and international institutions, academic books and research articles, and the booklet’s content came from Evidence Based Medical Guidelines and Duodecim. A qualitative methodology was utilized to assess the booklet as 3 nurses from Kotopelto evaluated the booklet's functionality in a feedback.
The evaluation indicated that some nurses adjusted their efforts as per the adolescents' mood so that the adolescents comply with the institution's daily agenda; Nevertheless, such quick solutions do not treat the adolescents' dysregulated behavior. Also, self-regulation was not a well-known subject as more practical examples were suggested in the feedback. The interest of the nurses in self-regulation was important because uncontrolled hyper and hypo arousal states can lead to health issues for the adolescents and a more challenging working environment for the nurses.
The result of the evaluation is that the booklet successfully explained hyper and hypo arousal states, and that self-regulation can be utilized as part of the adolescents' treatment. This booklet could be utilized as introductory material for new nurses working in foster care because it provided information and guidelines that can be implemented by any nurse regardless of experience. The main conclusion is that new nurses working in foster care for adolescents needed more support about treatment practices for the adolescents hyper and hypo arousal estate.
As a recommendation for future research, the booklet could provide more self-regulation treatments like arts with painting, or the stimulation of the vagus nerve with breathing exercises, or other non-traditional treatments. Other researchers can investigate which self-regulation treatment could be more effective, and if the results are individual or general.