Exploring Supportive Music and Imagery as a Self-Care Resource: Experiences of Intensive Care Unit Nurses

Abstract

Nurses in the intensive care unit (ICU) are prone to high levels of occupational stress, which negatively impacts both their mental and physical health, as well as their work performance. Due to the highly demanding work environment and workload, sustainable stress management among ICU nurses has been emphasized in several studies. The current study aims to qualitatively explore how ICU nurses experienced music and imagery sessions for stress management. Twenty-eight ICU nurses who participated in an online supportive music and imagery (SMI) program were interviewed, focusing on experiences during sessions and daily life. Results from an inductive qualitative content analysis identified three main themes that emerged in chronological orders. The findings indicated that music initially facilitated participants direct their attention and connect with their positive emotional and psychological states, that further facilitated supportive experiences that enabled access to personal resources, allowing participants to recognize music as self-care resources to manage work-related and daily stress. The findings of this study provide in-depth insight into the process of using music as a psychological resource for stress management.