This study aimed to evaluate positive mental health (PMH) and its relation with sociodemographic characteristics, mental health literacy, and the psychological vulnerability scale (PVS) in Portuguese university students aged 17 to 62. A descriptive correlational study was carried out. An online survey was conducted to evaluate demographic variables, and several questionnaires were applied to evaluate positive mental health, psychological vulnerability, and mental health literacy. The data was collected from 1 November 2019 to 1 September 2020. Overall, 3405 students participated in the study. The results show that 67.8% of students revealed a high level of PMH, 31.6% presented a medium level of PMH, and 0.6% had a low level of PMH. Male students reported higher personal satisfaction (t (3170) = −2.39, p = 0.017) and autonomy (t (3170) = −3.33, p = 0.001) in PMH compared to female students. Students without a scholarship scored higher (t (3127) = −2.04, p = 0.42) in PMH than students who held a scholarship. Students who were not displaced from their home reported higher (t (3170) = −1.99, p = 0.047) self-control in PMH than those displaced from their home. University students with higher PMH results had lower PVS results and higher literacy results. The findings of this study will contribute to identifying students’ PMH intervention needs.

BACKGROUND: Positive mental health (PMH) is described as the sense of feeling good and functioning well. PMH is vital for the individual’s positive functioning and psychological well-being, particularly regarding the factors important for living a purposeful life and accomplishing personal goals. Nursing students are exposed to a variety of stressors that are very likely to decrease well-being and trigger stress, anxiety, and depression. Data focusing on PMH in nursing students are lacking, and this subject has been frequently neglected in nursing practice and research on positive functioning. AIMS: To assess positive mental health levels in two samples of nursing students. METHODS: A quantitative cross-sectional study. A convenience sample of 2,238 nursing students with an average age of 21 years (17-36 years old) were recruited from two nursing schools—Porto (Portugal) and Barcelona (Spain). The Positive Mental Health Questionnaire and sociodemographic items were used to measure the PMH. RESULTS: The majority of participants were female (88.6%), and 7.7% had physical health problem and 2.6% referred to a mental health problem. The mean PMH score was 83.4, indicating a good PMH level. A total of 58.4% reported a moderate PMH, and only 0.5% indicated low PMH level. Results were not significantly different between genders (p > .05). CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study make important contributions to our understanding of PMH levels in a large sample of nursing students and the efficacy of Positive Mental Health Questionnaire, which is an accurate tool to measure PMH. Our findings also prompt discussion about PMH and its implications for practice and teaching.

As atitudes que os enfermeiros adotam em relação à família condicionam o processo de cuidar. Nosso propósito com este estudo foi nesse sentido: dispor de um instrumento que nos permitisse conhecer esta variável. Assim, nossa proposta foi efetuar a adaptação transcultural e avaliar as propriedades psicométricas da versão portuguesa do instrumento Families' Importance in Nursing Care - Nurses Attitudes (FINC-NA), que visa avaliar as atitudes dos enfermeiros acerca da importância de envolver a família nos cuidados de enfermagem. Foi seguido o método preconizado pela literatura. A amostra foi constituída por 136 enfermeiros dos Cuidados de Saúde Primários. Os resultados obtidos nos testes de confiabilidade revelam uma boa consistência interna para o total dos itens (Alpha de Cronbach = 0,87). O estudo psicométrico permite-nos afirmar que a versão em português da FINC-NA, que denominamos A importância das famílias nos cuidados de enfermagem - atitudes dos enfermeiros (IFCE-AE), é um instrumento fidedigno e válido.

Background: Surgical procedure is a critical event that causes anxiety for patients. One of the possible intervention strategies to reduce anxiety in the preoperative period is psychoeducation. Methods: A scoping review was conducted according to the JBI methodology and PRISMA-ScR to map knowledge about psychoeducation programs to reduce preoperative anxiety in adults. The data were extracted by the researchers, according to the objective of the study. Finally, the data synthesis was presented in narrative format and tables. Results: four studies were included in the review with different characteristics of psychoeducation programs. The approach of these programs consisted of teaching about anxiety, instruction and training in anxiety control techniques. The contents referred to included the surgical process and intervention techniques to reduce anxiety. Program sessions lasted from 45 to 150 min, with a frequency of 1 to 6. The assessment instrument used was the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. The dynamisers were nurses, psychotherapists and clinical psychologists. Conclusions: Psychoeducation programs can be useful and effective in reducing anxiety. More studies are needed to confirm these results.

Poetic depiction of problems and complex thoughts is an innovative approach that facilitates introspective thinking and the building of self-identity. This study aimed at providing nursing students with in-depth knowledge about mental health through free poetic production. A qualitative, descriptive research approach, of sociopoetic inspiration involving 96 undergraduate nursing students, was conducted. All ethical recommendations were considered. Four categories emerged: “Hybrid emotions, feelings and sensations”; “Associations”; “Doubts and questions”; and “Reflections”. Students’ poetic writings were analysed and the results highlighted the students’ perception of the dynamics between brain and heart symbolizing reason and emotion. Poetic writing enhances creativity and fosters introspection, acting as an important facilitator of the complexity of mental health-related issues and contributing to improve therapeutic communication skills. Importantly, the search and development of new pedagogical approaches can help to deal with the emotional stressors linked to the novelty of mental health education.