When a client expresses self-doubt, which nursing intervention is most helpful?

Encouraging positive self-comments is a highly effective nursing intervention when a client expresses self-doubt because it directly targets and helps reshape the client's negative self-perception. Positive affirmations and self-statements can empower the client, fostering a more resilient mindset. By promoting constructive and encouraging internal dialogue, the client is more likely to enhance their self-esteem and combat feelings of inadequacy.

This approach is rooted in cognitive-behavioral principles, which emphasize the relationship between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. By encouraging the client to focus on their strengths and past successes, they can begin to counteract the negative beliefs contributing to their self-doubt.

In contrast, discussing past failures would likely reinforce the client’s negative self-view, while suggesting relaxation exercises, although beneficial for stress management, does not directly address the root of self-doubt. Promoting unattainable goals can set the client up for failure, further exacerbating their self-doubt instead of alleviating it. Thus, encouraging positive self-comments is the most supportive and effective intervention in this context.