Page No.219-224
Kamayani Mathur
Gujarat University, Ahmedabad
S. R. Tripathi and S. K. Bhattacharya
National Institute of Occupational Health, Ahmedabad
The present communication is an attempt to ascertain whether the level of affective
states sustains as the day prolongs in affective states that are relevant to nursing
care. A group of 70 student nurses, 18-20 years of age, randomly allocated to one of
the 7 equal sized groups were tested every 2 hours from 0800-2000 hours following
a 7X7 latin square design spread over 3 different days. The subjects thus served as
their own controls, in so far as the variation in the levels of the affective states over
different times of day were concerned. The personal habits like sleep pattern, diet
intake and menstrual cycle were recorded during the study period. Pulse rate was
monitored. An affective states questionnaire containing five visual analogue scales
for alertness, wakefulness, mental freshness, anxiety and physical freshness was
administered on the subjects. Statistical analysis of the Latin Square design indicated
increase in pulse rate as the day advanced with it’s peak reaching 1800-2000 hours
and then gradually falling off. Amongst the affective states measures wakefulness of
the subjects were significantly higher at 1000, 1200 and 1600 hours, mental freshness
at 1000, 1600 and 1800 hours and the alertness of the subjects was found to increase
early morning, noon and early evening hours. Anxiety and physical freshness of the
subjects were not statistically significant as they were influenced by order of time
of day and time of day. Significant negative correlation co-efficience of pulse rate
with alertness, wakefulness and mental freshness during different hours of day were
obtained. Further research in this virgin area is suggested.