Importance of families in nursing care for people with mental disorders: attitudes of Portuguese and Brazilian nurses

Adolescent Patients'experiences of Mental Disorders Related to School Bullying

Objective

The purpose of this study was to explore the real inner experience and nursing needs of adolescent patients who suffered from school bullying, and to develop a treatment plan to restore adolescent mental health.

Methods

Using the maximum difference sampling method, 15 adolescent patients were interviewed by psychologists and nurses, and the interview results were analyzed by topic induction.

Results

Among the 15 participants, 12 (80%) felt helpless, 13 (86.7%) had serious negative emotions, and 10 (66.7%) felt anxious about personal growth. Based on the semi-structured interviews, the psychological states of participants were summarized into three themes: Helplessness, Severe negative emotions, and Anxiety about personal growth. Under the theme of serious negative emotions, it was further divided into three sub-themes: Frustration and Distrust, Rebellion, Insecurity and depression. These themes reflected the significant impact of school bullying on the psychological status of the participants.

Conclusion

The internal experience of adolescent patients with mental disorders caused by school bullying mainly includes helplessness, serious negative emotions and anxiety about personal growth. It is recommended to evaluate and diagnose patients' existing and potential health problems individually during clinical treatment and care. On the basis of comprehensive assessment, psychological counseling should be provided and support from family and school should be sought to promote positive mental health and personal growth of adolescents.

Meanings of nurses' role in Child and Adolescent Psychosocial Care Centers

OBJECTIVE

to analyze the meaning attributed to nurses' role in mental health care in Child and Adolescent Psychosocial Care Centers.

METHODS

qualitative research, anchored in the paradigm of complexity. Data collection was carried out through online semi-structured interviews with ten nurses from São Paulo, between March and September 2022, being analyzed thematically.

RESULTS

the diversity and specificity of a child and adolescent mental health clinic, with the need for expanded, territorial and intersectoral care, were unveiled in addition to a fragmented training in the area. There was a need for a deconstruction of being a nurse to make it possible to produce more inclusive and salutogenic practices.

FINAL CONSIDERATIONS

the need for training nurses with adequate knowledge and skills to care for the mental health of children, adolescents and their families is reinforced as well as permanent education of working teams.

Factors associated with nurses' positive attitudes towards families' involvement in nursing care: A scoping review

AIM

To map the factors associated with nurses' positive attitudes towards families' involvement in nursing care and to identify any existing gaps in knowledge.

BACKGROUND

Several tools have been proposed to assess the attitudes, beliefs and practices of nurses towards families in different care contexts. However, there is a knowledge gap on how the results of these tools can identify the factors that are associated with more positive attitudes of nurses.

DESIGN

A scoping review based on the steps proposed by the Joanna Briggs Institute.

METHODS

Three independent reviewers searched the databases: PUBMED/Medline; LILACS; Virtual Health Library; PsycInfo; Google Scholar; SCOPUS and CINAHL, from 2006 to August 2021, guided by the question: What are the factors associated with nurses' positive attitudes towards families´ involvement in nursing care, in studies that used one or both of the following two scales 'Families' Importance in Nursing Care- Nurses' Attitudes' and 'Family Nursing Practice Scale'? This review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA-ScR.

RESULTS

Twenty-six primary studies were identified, in which 9,620 nurses participated. Positive attitudes were associated with three types of variables: (a) personal-longer working career (42.3%) and older age (26.9%); (b) educational-higher level of academic education (30.8%) and family nursing education (23.0%); and (c) workplace-working in primary health care and/or outpatient clinics (34.6%) or in a unit with philosophy/approach to families (23.0%).

CONCLUSIONS

Personal variables such as age and time of service are non-modifiable aspects, but educational and workplace variables are subject to intervention to improve nurses' attitudes towards families' involvement in nursing care. Continuing development programmes about family care can constitute important strategies to improve positive attitudes of nurses towards families in practice.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Recognising the characteristics associated with nurses´ positive attitudes towards families may enable the development of tailored interventions that promote family-focused care.

Factors Predicting Older Patients' Family Involvement by Nursing Staff in Hospitals: The View of Hospital Nurses in Israel

According to the family-centered approach, the involvement of family in the care of hospitalized older patients is a crucial element of quality care. Active involvement of family in care by the nursing staff depends on different factors, including attitudes towards the importance of family in the care and perception of the interactions with the family. This study aims to identify the factors predicting staff behavior of involving the family in the care process. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 179 nursing staff at a hospital, using a self-report questionnaire examining staff attitudes towards the importance of family in care, the perception of the interactions with the family (family behavior, communication and conflicts), and staff behavior toward family involvement. The findings point out the importance that staff attitudes have on their behavior in the active involvement of family in the care of older patients. Staff behavior of family involvement was predicted by their perceptions of the family (as conversational partners and having their own resources), less conflicts with the family, and staff academic education. Staff behavior toward family is influenced by their attitude and staff–family relationships. Educational programs should emphasize the importance of family, as well as dealing with conflicts.

(Re)'Thinking' family in nursing care in pandemic times

AIM

This study aimed to identify which strategies are being adopted to deal with family restrictions in health units and assess nurses' perceptions of including families in nursing care during the current pandemic.

BACKGROUND

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, health organisations limited access for visitors.

INTRODUCTION

Family centred care needs to be guaranteed, and alternatives for face-to-face interaction should be fostered. Therefore, there is an urgent need to rethink the family in nursing care during a pandemic.

METHODS

We conducted a descriptive exploratory mixed-method study in Portugal using an electronic questionnaire. The study included 192 nurses recruited using a non-probabilistic convenience sample. The study was reported using the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines.

RESULTS

A total of 41.1% of participants (n = 79) reported that visits to their services were not authorised, and 66.7% (n = 128) reported resorting to video calls because of the restrictions imposed. Regarding attitude assessment, the average score of the scale was 77.9 (SD = 10.0), ranging between 26 and 98. When analysing the different dimensions of the 'Families' Importance in Nursing Care - Nurses Attitudes' scale, family data stand out as a burden.

CONCLUSION

Although a large percentage of participants had a positive attitude towards families and tried to find strategies to maintain family centred care, many nurses still considered the family as a burden. The current COVID-19 pandemic may have aggravated this perception. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE, NURSING POLICY AND HEALTH POLICY: The continued implementation of family centred nursing practice is essential for child-well-being, including during the current pandemic. Therefore, having intervention policies with alternative forms of care is highly recommended.