Psychological First Aid Training for Nursing Students

NCT07086170 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: E-18457941-050.99-50732
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 132
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief 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.

Conditions

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

Keywords

Disaster; psychological first aid; nursing students; randomized controlled trial

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Disaster Response Self-Efficacy Scale

  Developed by Hong-Yan Li et al. (2017), this scale assesses individuals' perceived self-efficacy in effectively responding to disasters. The Turkish adaptation, including validity and reliability studies, was conducted by Koca et al. (2018). The scale consists of 19 items across three sub-dimensions, rated on a five-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (No self-confidence) to 5 (Full self-confidence). Higher total scores reflect greater self-efficacy in disaster response. The original study reported excellent internal consistency, with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.96 for the overall scale, and 0.93 for each sub-dimension: On-site Rescue Competence, Psychological Nursing Competence in Disaster, and Quality of Role Undertaken in Disaster and Adaptation Competence.21 In the present study, Cronbach's alpha values ranged from 0.87 to 0.93 across groups and time points, confirming the scale's reliability in this sample

  aseline, post-intervention (Week 3), and follow-up (Month 3)

• Psychological First Aid Application Self-Efficacy Scale

  Developed by Kılıç Bayageldi and Şimşek (2022), this scale assesses self-efficacy in applying Psychological First Aid (PFA). It consists of 35 items within a single sub-dimension, rated on a five-point Likert scale from 1 (Not at all appropriate) to 5 (Completely appropriate). Total scores range from 35 to 175, with no reverse-scored items. Higher scores indicate greater self-efficacy in PFA application. The scale demonstrated excellent reliability, with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.95 and a test-retest correlation coefficient of 0.93.22 In this study, internal consistency remained high across all measurements, with Cronbach's alpha values between 0.89 and 0.96.

  aseline, post-intervention (Week 3), and follow-up (Month 3)

Study Arms (2)

Intervention Group

EXPERIMENTAL

This group received online psychological first aid (PFA) training. Students were randomly divided into four subgroups. Each group received six 60-minute sessions over three weeks. Sessions included slides, videos, Q\&A, role-plays, and case-based discussions. Group members shared thoughts, asked questions, and practiced PFA scenarios. A 17-minute PFA video was also shown. The training was delivered by the researcher and emphasized core PFA principles such as safety, calmness, and self-efficacy.

Other: Psychological First Aid Training

Control Group

NO INTERVENTION

Participants in this group did not receive any training during the study period. They continued with their standard nursing curriculum without any additional intervention.

Interventions

Psychological First Aid Training OTHER

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.

Also known as: PFA Training

Intervention Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 21 Years - 24 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Were fourth-year nursing students at the participating universities
• Had not previously participated in similar training that could bias results
• Had not received any prior psychological first aid (PFA) training or services
• Had no internet access problems during the intervention period -

You may not qualify if:

• Students who withdrew from the study voluntarily during the intervention process
• Participants who experienced technical issues that prevented their attendance in most training sessions
• Individuals with prior experience in psychological first aid or formal training in disaster response

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Nurhayat Kiliç Bayageldi: lead

Study Sites (1)

Artvin Coruh University

Artvin, 08000, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Study Officials

• Nurhayat KILIÇ BAYAGELDİ, PhD

  Artvin Coruh University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Masking Details: Open-label design; no blinding was used.
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor

Model Details: A randomized controlled trial was conducted according to the CONSORT guideline.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 18, 2025
• First Posted: July 25, 2025
• Study Start: April 2, 2023
• Primary Completion: April 20, 2023
• Study Completion: July 20, 2023
• Last Updated: July 25, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)