Importance of families in care of individuals with mental disorders: nurses' attitudes

Factors associated with attitudes of mental health nurses towards the importance of families in mental health nursing care

Family involvement in mental healthcare is a key ingredient in the recovery of patients with mental illness. Research on the attitudes of mental health nurses regarding family involvement in mental healthcare remains limited. This study aimed to examine factors that affect the attitudes of mental health nurses towards the importance of family involvement in mental health nursing care. A descriptive, correlational study with a cross-sectional design was conducted with 162 mental health nurses at two psychiatric hospitals in Taiwan. Descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, one-way analysis of variance, and stepwise multiple linear regression analyses were applied to analyse data. Mental health nurses generally demonstrated positive attitudes towards incorporating families into nursing care. Older age, more clinical experiences in mental healthcare, and workplace (such as working in chronic psychiatric inpatient wards) were found to be key factors for mental health nurses' attitudes. Particularly, greater competence in working with families and job satisfaction were the most significant factors associated with positive attitudes of mental health nurses towards involving families as important in nursing care. Insight into correlates of mental health nurses' attitudes towards the importance of focusing on families in care is pivotal for targeted interventions to improve nurses' attitudes towards families and, thus, implement family engagement in mental healthcare practices.

Nurses' attitudes towards family importance in nursing care across Europe

AIMS AND OBJECTIVE

To explore differences in nurses' attitudes regarding the importance of family in nursing care and factors associated with nurses' attitudes across 11 European countries.

BACKGROUND

Family involvement in healthcare has received attention in many European healthcare systems. Nurses have a unique opportunity to promote family involvement in healthcare; however, their attitudes and beliefs may facilitate or impede this practice.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional survey across European countries.

METHOD

A broad convenience sample of 8112 nurses across 11 European countries was recruited from October 2017 to December 2019. Data were collected using the Families' Importance in Nursing Care-Nurses' Attitudes (FINC-NA) questionnaire. We used the STROBE checklist to report the results.

RESULTS

There were significant differences in nurses' attitudes about families' importance in nursing care across Europe. Country was the factor with the strongest association with the total scores of the FINC-NA. Older age, higher level of education, increased years since graduation, having a strategy for the care of families in the workplace, and having experience of illness within one's own family were associated with a higher total FINC-NA score. Being male and working in a hospital or other clinical settings were associated with a lower total FINC-NA score.

CONCLUSION

Nurses' attitudes regarding the importance of family in nursing care vary across 11 European countries. This study highlights multiple factors associated with nurses' attitudes. Further research is necessary to gain a deeper understanding of the reasons for nurses' different attitudes and to develop a strong theoretical framework across Europe to support family involvement in patient care. The inclusion of family healthcare programs in the baccalaureate curriculum may improve nurses' attitudes.

RELEVANCE FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE

In clinical practice, the focus should be on identifying influencing factors on nurses' attitudes to enhance families' importance in nursing care across Europe.