Need for Specialized Support Services for Nurse Victims of Physical Assault by Psychiatric Patients.

Assault of nurses in the psychiatric setting is an ongoing global concern. In a prior study by these authors, many nurses reported concern about the lack of supportive interventions offered to nurses after the assault event. These nurses reported ongoing psychosocial and emotional disturbance consistent with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. A follow-up study was done to investigate the perceived need of assaulted nurses for specialized support groups to assist them in dealing with the experience. A quantitative, cross sectional survey descriptive research design was done to assess assaulted nurses' perceived need for specialized support groups. The survey also gathered data relating to the reporting of the assault. A qualitative narrative section was added to gather data that might have been missed in the quantitative segment. The sample consisted of 57 previously assaulted nurses currently working at multiple acute care sites. Study findings showed that if specialized support groups were available, 57% of the nurses might be interested in attending these, and 41% would be interested in attending these. These nurses also reported multiple signs and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. Considering the serious negative impact of assault on nurses and their desire for follow-up support, there is a need for the availability of supportive services.

Predictors of mental illness stigma and attitudes among college students: using vignettes from a campus common reading program.

Research has demonstrated that stigmatizing mentally ill individuals is prevalent and often results in lack of adherence to or avoidance of treatment. The present study sought to examine attitudes of college students regarding mental illness as part of a campus-wide "common readings" program. The book selected was a non-fiction account of a young girl with mental illness and the program was developed to initiate dialogue about young people with mental problems. Faculty from multiple disciplines collaborated on the project. A sample of 309 students completed a web-based survey after reading a vignette about an adolescent girl with mental illness. The vignette description was based on a character in the book selected in the program. The instruments measured attribution of stigma, social distance, and familiarity with people who have mental illness. Results demonstrated that younger students and those who are less familiar with mental illness were more likely to stigmatize and maintain social distance from those who are mentally ill. Awareness of the study findings can assist health professionals and mental health workers to identify interventions that can decrease stigma. Psychiatric mental health nurses are well positioned to lead the education effort aimed at reducing stigmatizing attitudes among the public.

Differences in male and female nurses' responses to physical assault by psychiatric patients: a supplemental finding of a mixed-methods study.

In one segment of a multifactor study conducted in 2011 at five psychiatric sites in three counties of Long Island, New York, 110 nurses were interviewed about their experiences with physical assault by psychiatric patients. Marked differences were identified between the male and female nurse participants who were assaulted. Women expressed feelings of inadequacy and questioned their competence. They felt blamed by administration and sometimes even colleagues. In addition, many did not report the incident for fear of reprisal. Women believed that violence was to be expected, and they considered it part of the job. On the other hand, men did not question their competency. They blamed external factors, such as poor staffing or unsafe design of the unit, or they stated that the patient was inadequately medicated and impossible to control. The male nurses did not feel blamed for the incident. All but one male nurse formally reported the incidents. They believed that violence in psychiatry is to be expected but should not be considered part of the job. These findings may be explained by Weiner's Attribution Theory.