Mental health nurses' empathy towards consumers with dual diagnosis: A descriptive study.

ABSTRACT

AIM: This study aimed to assess mental health nurses' empathy towards consumers with dual diagnosis in Australian mental health settings. The research question was What is mental health nurses' empathy towards consumers with co-existing mental health and drug and alcohol problems? DESIGN AND METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was carried out to understand mental health nurses' empathy. The convenience sample included 96 mental health nurses from various mental health settings with experience working with consumers with dual diagnosis. We assessed empathy using the Toronto Empathy Questionnaire. We utilised SPSS™ software to analyse both the descriptive data and multiple-regression. RESULTS: The mean empathy score was 47.71 (SD 8.28). The analysis of the association between demographic variables and individual subscales showed an association between the clinical setting and empathy (p = .031) and sympathetic physiological arousal (p = .049). The work sector was associated with sympathetic physiological arousal (p = .045) and conspecific altruism (p = .008). Emotional contagion (ß = .98, p < .001), emotional comprehension (ß = 1.02, p < .001), sympathetic physiological arousal (ß = 1.01, p < .001) and conspecific altruism (ß = 10.23, p < .001) predicted mental health nurses' empathy. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that most mental health nurses showed empathy towards consumers with dual diagnosis. Mental health nurses who are more empathetic towards their consumers experience emotional contagion. They understand emotions better, show sympathetic physiological responses and exhibit kind behaviour towards consumers. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION AND PATIENT CARE Further research is required to understand how mental health nurses adapt to consumers' emotional states in different mental health settings. This information can help clinicians make better decisions about care quality for consumers with dual diagnosis. IMPACT This study addressed mental health nurses' empathy towards consumers with dual diagnosis. Mental health nurses showed increased empathy towards consumers with dual diagnosis. The empathy levels vary based on age, clinical setting, work sector and work experience. Mental health nurses' empathy levels were predicted by emotional contagion, emotion comprehension, sympathetic physiological arousal and conspecific altruism. Empathy enhancement among mental health nurses, particularly towards consumers with dual diagnosis, is crucial and should be regarded as a top priority by healthcare leaders and educators. REPORTING METHOD: Outlined by the Consensus-Based Checklist for Reporting of Survey Studies (CROSS). PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION No Patient or Public Contribution.