Emergency PreparednessPFA-EDUNCT07086170
Psychological First Aid Training for Nursing Students
A study testing Psychological First Aid Training in people with Emergency Preparedness and Nursing Students, run by Nurhayat Kiliç Bayageldi at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial 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. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 21 to 24 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Emergency Preparedness, Nursing Students, Crisis Intervention
- What is being tested?
- Psychological First Aid Training
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 132 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 2 Apr 2023to 20 Jul 2023
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 21 to 24 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Inclusion Criteria:Volunteered to participate after being informed about the study
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 -
Exclusion Criteria:Individuals who did not complete the post-training or follow-up assessments
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
-
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: The Effect of Psychological First Aid Training on Disaster Response Self-Efficacy: A Randomized Controlled Study
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.
Read the detailed description
Disasters pose significant challenges to healthcare systems and frontline professionals, particularly nurses. Psychological first aid (PFA) is a fundamental psychosocial support approach that aims to reduce stress, promote adaptive functioning, and improve psychological well-being in individuals affected by disasters. However, nursing students often lack formal training in disaster preparedness and psychosocial interventions.
This randomized controlled trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of psychological first aid training on disaster response self-efficacy and psychological first aid application self-efficacy among senior nursing students. The study was designed according to the CONSORT guidelines and included a total of 132 participants, with 72 students in the intervention group and 60 in the control group. Students in the intervention group received a total of six 60-minute online PFA training sessions delivered twice a week for three weeks. The training content was based on internationally recognized PFA principles.
Data collection tools included the Personal Information Form, the Disaster Response Self-Efficacy Scale (DRSES), and the Psychological First Aid Application Self-Efficacy Scale. Measurements were taken before the training, immediately after the training, and at 3 months follow-up. Results showed significant improvements in the intervention group's scores across all sub-dimensions of disaster response self-efficacy (on-site rescue competency, disaster psychological nursing competency, quality of role undertaken, and adaptation competency) and in their perceived self-efficacy to apply PFA, compared to the control group.
These findings emphasize the importance of integrating structured PFA training into nursing education to enhance disaster preparedness and psychosocial intervention competencies among future healthcare professionals.
- Being tested
- Psychological First Aid Training
- Keywords
- Disaster, psychological first aid, nursing students, randomized controlled trial
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Psychological First Aid TrainingOther
Also called PFA Training
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.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| 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. Receives: 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. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
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
Measured: 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.
Measured: aseline, post-intervention (Week 3), and follow-up (Month 3)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted25 Jul 2025
- Study start2 Apr 2023
- Primary completion20 Apr 2023
- Study completion20 Jul 2023
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Emergency PreparednessStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- A randomized controlled trial was conducted according to the CONSORT guideline.
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 132 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Nurhayat Kiliç Bayageldi
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor-investigator, Nurhayat Kiliç Bayageldi, Artvin Coruh University
- Investigators
- Nurhayat KILIÇ BAYAGELDİ, PhD, Principal investigator, Artvin Coruh University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07086170
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- E-18457941-050.99-50732
- Acronym
- PFA-EDU
- Status last verified
- Jul 2025
- First submitted
- 18 Jul 2025
- Last updated
- 25 Jul 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 25 Jul 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effect of Psychological First Aid Training on Disaster Response Self-Efficacy: A Randomized Controlled Study
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07086170
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- PFA-EDU / E-18457941-050.99-50732
- Keywords
- Disaster, psychological first aid, nursing students, randomized controlled trial
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 132 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Nurhayat Kiliç BayageldiUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 2 Apr 2023 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 20 Apr 2023 (actual)
- Study completion
- 20 Jul 2023 (actual)
- First posted
- 25 Jul 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
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.
Detailed description
Disasters pose significant challenges to healthcare systems and frontline professionals, particularly nurses. Psychological first aid (PFA) is a fundamental psychosocial support approach that aims to reduce stress, promote adaptive functioning, and improve psychological well-being in individuals affected by disasters. However, nursing students often lack formal training in disaster preparedness and psychosocial interventions.
This randomized controlled trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of psychological first aid training on disaster response self-efficacy and psychological first aid application self-efficacy among senior nursing students. The study was designed according to the CONSORT guidelines and included a total of 132 participants, with 72 students in the intervention group and 60 in the control group. Students in the intervention group received a total of six 60-minute online PFA training sessions delivered twice a week for three weeks. The training content was based on internationally recognized PFA principles.
Data collection tools included the Personal Information Form, the Disaster Response Self-Efficacy Scale (DRSES), and the Psychological First Aid Application Self-Efficacy Scale. Measurements were taken before the training, immediately after the training, and at 3 months follow-up. Results showed significant improvements in the intervention group's scores across all sub-dimensions of disaster response self-efficacy (on-site rescue competency, disaster psychological nursing competency, quality of role undertaken, and adaptation competency) and in their perceived self-efficacy to apply PFA, compared to the control group.
These findings emphasize the importance of integrating structured PFA training into nursing education to enhance disaster preparedness and psychosocial intervention competencies among future healthcare professionals.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- A randomized controlled trial was conducted according to the CONSORT guideline.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Intervention Group | Experimental | Other: Psychological First Aid TrainingThis 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. |
| 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. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 21 to 24 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Psychological First Aid TrainingAlso: PFA TrainingStructured 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. | Other | Intervention Group |
Primary outcome
Disaster Response Self-Efficacy Scale
Time frame: aseline, post-intervention (Week 3), and follow-up (Month 3)
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
Psychological First Aid Application Self-Efficacy Scale
Time frame: aseline, post-intervention (Week 3), and follow-up (Month 3)
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.
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 25 Jul 2025.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Nurhayat KILIÇ BAYAGELDİ, PhD principal investigator
Artvin Coruh University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Psychological First Aid Training in people with Emergency Preparedness and Nursing Students, run by Nurhayat Kiliç Bayageldi at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 25 Jul 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Disaster Response Self-Efficacy Scale (time frame: aseline, post-intervention (Week 3), and follow-up (Month 3)). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 25 Jul 2025.