Applied Psychology Research

Nurses’ perception of nursing care quality and associated factors in Jimma Town public hospitals, 2023—A mixed study

Fri, 29 May 2026 06:58:10 +0000

Nurses’ perceptions of nursing care quality are related to their impression of the quality of care, and various countries emphasize improving it. However, studies from various countries have shown that people perceive the quality of nursing care to be poor. Despite this, there is a paucity of information about nurses’ perceptions of nursing care quality in our country. This study aimed to assess nurses’ perception of nursing care quality and associated factors in Jimma Town public hospitals, Southwest, Ethiopia, 2023. A mixed study design was employed among nurses working in Jimma Town public hospitals. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire and a semi-structured interview by simple random and purposive sampling techniques. Data were analysed using SPSS for quantitative data and thematic analysis for qualitative data. Of the total 364 nurses, about 50.50% (95% CI, 45.39, 55.71) of them perceived nursing care quality as good. Work experience of >10 years (AOR = 5.16, 95% CI (1.87, 14.24), having an educational level of BSc and above (AOR = 4.04, 95% CI (1.65, 9.95), working in referral hospital, (AOR = 4.13, 95% CI, (1.72, 9.89)), working in the favorable work environment (AOR = 3.29, 95% CI (1.90, 5.66) and being satisfied on one’s job (AOR = 2.20, 95% CI (1.30, 3.74) were statistically associated with nurses perception of nursing care quality. Nurses working in Jimma Town public hospitals are split in half on their perception of the nursing care quality they render to the patients. Therefore, nurses, hospitals, and nurse managers have to work together to address factors affecting nurses’ perception of nursing care quality.

Examining the association among physical activity shame, self-compassion, shame-coping styles, and physical activity behavior

Kim A. Rogers, Bradley J. Cardinal, John Geldhof — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The purpose of this study was two-fold. First, to further evaluate the psychometric properties of the Physical Activity Shame Scale (PASS), a new trait self-report measure designed to assess the multifaceted phenomenological experience of shame in the physical domain. Second, to investigate the associations among physical activity shame, physical activity, four maladaptive shame-coping styles––Attack Self, Withdrawal, Attack Other, Avoidance––and self-compassion, a more adaptive response to shame. Results demonstrated further support for the PASS as a psychometrically sound measure of physical activity shame with high internal consistency and evidence of validity based on factor structure and associations with other variables. Consistent with predictions, physical activity shame was negatively linked to self-compassion and physical activity, and positively linked with maladaptive shame-coping styles. Conversely, self-compassion was positively linked to physical activity and negatively linked with maladaptive shame-coping styles. In the current study, women were significantly higher than men in physical activity shame, Attack Self, Withdrawal, and Attack Other, while men were significantly higher than women in self-compassion. Furthermore, we found significant indirect effects of physical activity shame on physical activity via both self-compassion and Attack Self. Implications and recommendations for future research are discussed.

The impact of psychology on art therapy: Emotional, cognitive, behavioral, and social dimensions

Sofia Belhaj, Abdelrhani Mounid — Mon, 25 May 2026 07:21:23 +0000

Art therapy sits at the crossroads of psychology and artistic creation, with the shared goal of supporting mental health and overall well-being. This article explores how psychological knowledge shapes art therapy in four main areas: emotional, cognitive, behavioral, and social. Drawing on psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, humanistic, and neuroscientific approaches, it brings together findings from peer-reviewed publications published between 1970 and 2024. The review shows that psychological frameworks strengthen art therapy by helping clients express and regulate emotions, rethink and give meaning to their experiences, develop new behaviors and coping strategies, and build social connection and empathy. Several key mechanisms of change are highlighted, including the use of symbols, experiences of “flow”, visual storytelling, and group dynamics. A conceptual model is proposed to illustrate how these four dimensions interact dynamically and reinforce one another in therapeutic contexts. Furthermore, the article emphasizes the importance of the therapeutic relationship and cultural sensitivity in shaping outcomes. Overall, the findings indicate that psychology does more than simply give art therapy theoretical legitimacy; it also contributes to improved clinical outcomes across diverse populations and settings. The paper closes with suggestions for future research, including longitudinal studies and cross-cultural comparisons.