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Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) programmes are often the only available treatment for people diagnosed with borderline personality disorder and were rapidly converted to online delivery during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Limited research exists surrounding how the major elements of DBT are delivered in an online environment. This scoping review considered the operationalization of online delivery of DBT and its effectiveness. EBSCO host databases were searched using free text. Of 127 papers, 11 studies from 2010 to 2021 investigating online DBT for any clinical population were included in the review. A narrative synthesis of papers selected was undertaken. Seven articles reported results from five clinical trials (n = 437). Most adaptations mirrored face‐to‐face programmes although there was considerable variation in how therapy was facilitated. Attendance was reported to be greater online with comparable clinical improvements to face‐to‐face for those who remained in therapy. Additional challenges included managing risk, therapist preparedness and technology difficulties. Online delivery of DBT programmes is feasible and may be more accessible, acceptable and as safe and effective as face‐to‐face delivery. However, mirroring face to face delivery in an online environment may not be the most effective and efficient way to adapt DBT to online provision. Research is needed to identify areas which require further adaptation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In New Zealand, people receiving care from specialist mental health and addiction services experience poorer health outcomes compared to the general population. Māori (Indigenous) specialist mental health and addiction service users experience disproportionate inequities. This study aims to: (1) Describe and understand mental health staff perspectives on the quality of care delivered to specialist mental health and addiction service users in their service – including specifically for Māori; and (2) Identify areas staff report as opportunities for quality improvement. In 2020, Southern District Health Board (now Te Whatu Ora – Southern) mental health staff were invited to participate in a cross‐sectional study assessing their perceptions of a range of service aspects. This paper presents quantitative and qualitative analyses about quality of care. Among the 319 staff who completed the questionnaire; 272 provided quality‐of‐care responses. Among these, 78% reported the quality of care delivered to service users as 'good' or 'excellent'; only 60% reported this for Māori service users. Participants identified individual, service and broader system level factors influencing the quality of care delivered to service users, including factors specific for Māori. This study has identified, for what appears to be the first time, empirical and concerning differences in staff ratings of the quality of care delivered to Māori and SMHAS users overall. Findings highlight the need for institutional and managerial prioritization of hauora Māori, and incorporating tikanga Māori and Te Tiriti into practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alcohol and other drug (AOD) nurse practitioners have an advanced scope of practice that allows them to diagnose, prescribe pharmacological treatments for alcohol and other substance use disorders, and monitor physical and mental health. The Behaviour Change Wheel (BCW) is used to understand barriers and facilitators to implementation by applying three conditions of behaviour change (capability, opportunity, and motivation—the COM‐B framework). The aim of this paper is to describe the current AOD nurse practitioner workforce, and to explore barriers and facilitators to AOD nurse practitioner uptake in Australia. A mixed method approach was used in this study: a survey to determine the current state of the AOD nurse practitioner workforce (n = 41) and qualitative interviews with 14 participants to determine barriers to endorsement and ongoing work as a nurse practitioner. Interview transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis and mapped to the COM‐B framework. The AOD nurse practitioner is a highly specialized provider of holistic care to people who use alcohol and other drugs, with AOD nurse practitioners performing advanced roles such as prescribing and medication management. However, there are several barriers to the further uptake of AOD nurse practitioners in Australia, including varied organizational support, a lack of support for the higher study required to become a nurse practitioner and a lack of available positions. Arguably, nurse practitioners are key to addressing prescriber shortages inherent in AOD treatment settings. In addition, they are equipped to provide true holistic care. We recommend that barriers are addressed to expand the AOD nurse practitioner workforce in Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study looked into the mechanism through which health education can reduce the fear of being infected with COVID‐19 because health education helps individuals to improve their knowledge and attitudes towards a disease. The spread of COVID‐19 has escalated the level of fear among public and nurses. Nevertheless, the mechanism that contributes to minimize the fear towards this pandemic remains unexplored. A cross‐sectional survey was adopted to test the relationships among public health education, psychological capital, and fear of COVID‐19. In total, 243 responses were obtained via online survey from nurses. The results revealed that public health education can reduce one's fear of COVID‐19. Psychological capital emerged as a strong explanatory mechanism for the phenomenon. Drawing on spillover theory, public health education seems to reduce fear of COVID‐19 with the mediating role of psychological capital. Limitations and future directions are at the end of this paper. The study outcomes revealed that organizations should focus on educating nursing staff to overcome fear of COVID‐19. One way to induce positivity among nursing staff is by holding trainings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of sensory rooms and similar sensory approaches in psychiatric inpatient settings is becoming increasingly common. In sensory rooms, patients can choose different sensory stimulating items that may help regulate distress and enhance well‐being. Outcomes are often measured as effects on patients' self‐rated distress and rates of seclusion and restraint. The subjective experiences of patients using sensory rooms have been less explored. This paper presents a qualitative study of the experiences of 28 patients who chose to use sensory rooms on seven different types of psychiatric inpatient wards. Data were collected by individual patient interviews and by texts written by patients. A qualitative content analysis resulted in four categories: emotional calm, bodily calm, empowerment, and unexpected effects. A majority of the participants described several positive experiences, such as enhanced well‐being, reduced anxiety, increased self‐management, and enhanced self‐esteem. Our findings align with previous research that has shown similar positive patient experiences, and support the use of sensory rooms as part of person‐centred care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper outlines an evaluation of reflective practice groups ( RPG) involving nurses and midwives from three clinical nursing specialties at Redcliffe and Caboolture Hospitals, Queensland, Australia. The groups were facilitated by the consultation liaison psychiatry nurse and author using a process-focused, whole-of-group approach to explore clinical narrative in a supportive group setting. This was a preliminary evaluation utilizing a recently-developed tool, the Clinical Supervision Evaluation Questionnaire, along with externally-facilitated focus groups. Nurses and midwives responded favourably to RPG, reporting a positive impact on clinical practice, self-awareness, and resilience. The majority of participants considered RPG had positive implications for team functioning. The focus groups identified the importance of facilitation style and the need to address aspects of workplace culture to enable group development and enhance the capacity for reflection. Evaluation of the data indicates this style of RPG can improve reflective thinking, promote team cohesion, and provide support for nurses and midwives working in clinical settings. Following on from this study, a second phase of research has commenced, providing more detailed, longitudinal evaluation across a larger, more diverse group of nurses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Australia, 'indigeneity' is not determined by skin colour, but rather by a person's heritage, acceptance by an indigenous community, and active participation in the affairs of that indigenous community. Some people who identify as indigenous, however, have experienced 'colourism' - that is, experiences of social exclusion because of the colour of their skin - from non-Indigenous and also Indigenous Australians. This paper describes research that explored the effect of intra-racial exclusion on the mental health and wellbeing of Indigenous Australians, with a particular focus on skin colour or 'manifest indigeneity'. Framed within a qualitative design, an eco-map was used to guide in-depth interviews with 32 participants that gave rise to personal stories that described the distress of experiencing intra-racial colourism. Findings were derived from a thematic analysis that identified four major themes: 'Growing up black', 'Living on black country', 'Looking black', and 'Fitting in black'. These findings are important because they suggest a way forward for mental health nurses to better understand and support the mental health and wellbeing of Indigenous Australians who have experienced social exclusion as a result of colourism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eliciting clinicians' views about antipsychotic medication side-effects may assist in understanding strategies that could enhance the identification and management of these side-effects. The present paper details the development and psychometric evaluation of a questionnaire that captures clinicians' perceptions about these issues. An initial item set was derived from a literature review, and then refined by an expert content validity panel that assessed the relevance of the items. The online questionnaire was distributed to Australian mental health nurses and 140 fully completed questionnaires were returned. Principal components analysis yielded two robust scales that conceptually tapped 'system responsibility' and 'personal confidence'. These scales may be used to advance knowledge about how mental health nurses' attitudes towards the assessment and management of antipsychotic medication side-effects influences their clinical behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perinatal women are at risk of depression and/or suicidality. Suicide is the highest cause of indirect maternal deaths in the perinatal period. Midwives and maternal child health nurses ( MCHN), as key clinicians, need to be able to detect these mental health issues. Little is known about these clinicians' attitudes to suicide. In this paper, we report on the results of a cross-sectional study of midwives' and MCHN attitudes to suicide. A convenience sample of midwives ( n = 95) and MCHN ( n = 86) from south-eastern Victoria, Australia, was recruited into the study. Participants completed the Attitudes to Suicide Prevention Scale. The results showed that MCHN have more positive attitudes towards suicide prevention than midwives, and younger participants have more positive attitudes to suicide prevention compared to older participants. Midwives and MCHN could benefit from continuing professional education to build their knowledge and skills in assessing suicide risk for childbearing women and their families, increasing positive attitudes, improving detection, and mental health referrals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports the three-stage development of a professional practice audit questionnaire for mental health nursing in Aotearoa/New Zealand. In Study 1, clinical indicator statements (n = 99) generated from focus group data, which were considered to be unobservable in the nursing documentation in consumer case notes, were included in a three-round Delphi process. Consensus of ratings occurred for the mental health nurse and academic participants (n = 7) on 83 clinical indicator statements. In Study 2, the clinical indicator statements (n = 67) that met importance and consensus criteria were incorporated into a questionnaire, which was piloted at a New Zealand mental health service. The questionnaire was then modified for use in a national field study. In Study 3, the national field study, registered mental health nurses (n = 422) from 11 New Zealand District Health Board mental health services completed the questionnaire. Five categories of nursing practice were identified: professional and evidence-based practice; consumer focus and reflective practice; professional development and integration; ethically and legally safe practice; and culturally safe practice. Analyses revealed little difference in the perceptions of nurses from different backgrounds regarding the regularity of the nursing practices. Further research is needed to calibrate the scores on each clinical indicator statement with behaviour in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The World Health Organization encourages mental health services to adopt a strategic intersectoral approach by acknowledging the potential of the arts and the value of culture on the process of mental health recovery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of participatory arts in museums on mental health recovery. A quasi‐experimental, pre‐post and multicentre study was carried out. By using a mixed methods evaluation at baseline and at 3 months, quantitative outcome measures were used to assess the changes in recovery and social support and qualitative interviews to explore the self‐perceived impact on five processes of recovery. One hundred mental health service users participated for 3 years in the face‐to‐face programme RecuperArte, of which the data of 54 were analysed. The results indicate a significant increase in recovery measured with the QPR‐15‐SP (42 vs. 44; p = 0.034) and almost significant in functional social support measured with the DUKE‐UNC (41.50 vs. 43.50; p = 0.052), with almost large (r = 0.29) and medium (r = 0.26) effect sizes, respectively. Participants perceived mostly an impact on the recovery process of Meaning in life 30/54 (55.56%), Hope and optimism about the future 29/54 (53.7%) and Connectedness 21/54 (38.89%), followed by Identity 6/54 (11.11%) and Empowerment 5/54 (9.26%). The findings contribute to the growing evidence of the potential of the arts as a therapeutic tool, the value of museums as therapeutic spaces and the role of nurses in intersectoral coordination, between the mental health and cultural sectors, as facilitators and researchers of these evidence‐based practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non‐suicidal self‐harm has been increasing in young people over the last decade leading to several self‐help interventions being developed. Self‐help toolkits are given a variety of names, such as 'hope box' and 'self‐soothe kit', but all seek to provide young people with the tools to manage thoughts to self‐harm by bringing together a collection of personal items, distress tolerance activities and help‐seeking prompts. They represent a low‐cost, low‐burden and accessible intervention. This study explored what child and adolescent mental health professionals working with young people are currently recommending as the content of these self‐help toolkits. A questionnaire was sent to child and adolescent mental health services and residential units across England and received 251 responses from professionals. Sixty‐six per cent described self‐help tool kits as being effective or very effective for helping young people manage self‐harm urges. The content was categorized into sensory items (subcategorized by sense), distraction activities, relaxation and mindfulness activities, seeking positives and coping strategies, with the caveat that all toolkits should be individualized. The results of this study help to inform the future manualization of the use of self‐help toolkits in clinical practice as a self‐harm intervention for children and young people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patients with mood disorders are at high risk of suicidality, and emergency departments (ED) are essential in the management of this risk. This study aims to (1) describe the suicidal thoughts and behaviours of patients with mood disorders who come to ED; (2) assess the psychometric properties of the Suicidal Behaviours Questionnaire‐Revised (SBQ‐R) in a psychiatric ED; and (3) determine the best predictors of suicidality for these patients. A total of 300 participants with mood disorders recruited for the Signature Bank of the Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal (IUSMM) were retained. Suicidality was assessed using the SBQ‐R. Other clinical and demographic details were recorded. Bivariate analyses, correlations and multivariate regression analyses were conducted. SBQ‐R's internal consistency, construct and convergent validities were also tested. In the Patient Health Questionnaire‐9 (PHQ‐9), 53.3% of the sample stated they had suicidal or self‐harm thoughts in the last 2 weeks. The mean score obtained at the SBQ‐R was 8.3. Multivariate analysis found that SBQ‐R scores were associated with depressive symptoms and substance use, especially alcohol, accounting for 44.3% of the model variance. Cronbach's alpha was 0.81 [0.78, 0.84] and factor loadings for items 1–4 were 0.68, 0.88, 0.54, and 0.85, respectively. The confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the model fit the data well. The SBQ‐R is a brief and valid instrument that can easily be used in busy emergency departments to assess suicide risk. Depressive symptoms and alcohol use shall also be assessed, as they are determinants of increased risk of suicidality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medication adherence is a crucial health issue in major depressive disorder (MDD) that requires regular monitoring and attention. Hence, there are multiple reasons for medication non‐adherence among them. This study aimed to examine the effect of adherence therapy (AT) on medication adherence, health beliefs, self‐efficacy, and depressive symptoms among patients diagnosed with MDD. One group pretest‐posttest, repeated measures time‐series design was conducted. A sample of 32 patients was recruited conveniently; they received eight weekly sessions of AT. A self‐reported questionnaire was used to measure variables. The analysis showed that the mean scores of the baseline indicated non‐adherence, moderate general benefits beliefs about the medication, high beliefs that medication is harmful, high beliefs that doctors overuse medication, high beliefs about potential adverse effects from medication, low perception of MDD severity, and high threatening perception regarding MDD, a moderate degree of confidence in the ability to taking medications, and patients had moderately severe depressive symptoms (M = 16, 3.2, 3.1, 4.1, 3.8, 50, 3, 16 respectively). Over four measurement points, adherence therapy enhanced positive beliefs towards taking medication and illness, increased medication adherence self‐efficacy, improved medication adherence, and decreased depressive symptoms (F = 68.57–379.2, P < 0.001). These improvements were clinically significant in all variables immediately post‐AT but declined minimally over time. The study indicated that integrating AT as part of the pre‐discharge protocol is one core component to sustaining positive healthcare outcomes. Continuous efforts should be paid in terms of the long‐term sustainability of an intervention to enhance adherence and clinical outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nurses are at the forefront of seclusion in adolescent psychiatric units. Understanding nurses and other staff perspectives on the effects of seclusion is critical in the ongoing effort to minimize and eliminate seclusion. The aim of this study was to gain a better understanding of staff attitudes, experiences, and beliefs about the effects of seclusion on both themselves and patients. Thirty‐one staff members (including 20 nurses) completed the Attitudes to Seclusion Survey and 24 participated in semi‐structured interviews to explore their beliefs and experiences of seclusion use in adolescent psychiatric inpatient care. Analysis of the questionnaire showed overwhelming agreement in the negative impacts of seclusion on patients, while there was uncertainty around the positive impacts of seclusion. Using a combination of the intuitive approach and thematic analysis, five themes were identified from interviews with staff, three unique to nurses: (i) staff were reluctant to use seclusion but felt it was necessary, (ii) nurses felt under‐resourcing led to increased chances of seclusion, (iii) staff believed seclusion negatively impacted the patients, (iv) nurses felt their relationships with patients were negatively impacted, and (v) seclusion also had a negative effect on nurses. Clinical recommendations included a systematic and structured approach to debriefing to repair ruptures in the therapeutic relationship; staffing to be based on the acuity of the unit rather than occupancy; alternatives to seclusion that meet the needs of service providers and consumers. Future research should compare staff and patient perspectives, include multiple sites, and greater participation of non‐nursing staff. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID‐19 pandemic had a notable impact on the psychological well‐being of a large part of the population, putting them at risk of developing depressive symptoms, different levels of anxiety disorders, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). One group considered to be at high risk are Nursing students; they were affected as learning strategies changed and clinical practices were cancelled. This study attempts to assess the psychological impact COVID‐19 pandemic had on Nursing students and to explore the sociodemographic differences that can be risk factors for mental health disturbance. The psychological impact was evaluated using the Impact of Event Scale‐Revised (IES‐R) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). The study took place 4 months after the state of alarm was declared over in Spain. From a total sample of 304 Nursing students, 26.7%, 39.8%, and 15.5% showed PTSD, anxiety, and depression symptoms, respectively. Severe levels of psychological impact have been associated with being a female, a smoker, and feeling fear and stress. Having a relative test positive has been linked to lower anxiety levels while being afraid or stressed to higher anxiety levels. Being a female, co‐habit with friends and feeling stress have been associated with higher depression levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Personal recovery is important for mental health services and service users; moreover, valid and reliable assessment instruments are necessary for measuring personal recovery. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the unidimensional factor structure of the German version of the Questionnaire about the Process of Recovery. The study was conducted using a cross‐sectional design with a convenience sample. The questionnaire was completed by 200 patients of outpatient services of two psychiatric hospitals in Switzerland. A confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to validate the unidimensional factor structure of the German version of the Questionnaire about the Process of Recovery. Cronbach's alpha was calculated to assess the internal consistency. The results showed an overall acceptable model fit (χ2 = 134.188, df = 90, P = 0.002; RMSEA = 0.050, 90% CI: 0.031–0.067; CFI = 0.937; TLI = 0.927) and excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.91). These results are consistent with those of studies that have examined the Questionnaire about the Process of Recovery in other languages. This study provides preliminary evidence that the German version of the Questionnaire about the Process of Recovery is a reliable assessment instrument for measuring personal recovery among people with mental illness experiences. However, it is necessary to conduct further psychometric tests to verify the validity and reliability of the instrument. The German version of the Questionnaire about the Process of Recovery can be applied to both research and clinical practice, especially as a means of facilitating communication during the planning and evaluation of treatment goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several challenges have been identified for patients with concurrent disorders to access adequate services and for nurses to care for them. These challenges contribute to a pressing need for continuing educational interventions, particularly within the mental health nursing workforce. To address this issue, an innovative interprofessional videoconferencing programme based on the ECHO® model (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) was implemented in Quebec, Canada to support and build capacity among healthcare professionals for CD management. The aim of this prospective cohort study was to examine nurses' self‐efficacy, knowledge, and attitude scores over a 12‐month period. All nurses who registered in the programme between 2018 and 2020 were invited to participate in the study (N = 65). The data were collected online using a self‐administered survey at baseline, after 6 months, and then 12 months following entry‐to‐programme. Twenty‐eight nurses participated in the study (96.4% women), with a mean age of 39.1 (SD = 6.2). Compared to other professions (n = 146/174), the group of nurses also showed significant improvements in their knowledge and attitude scores, with respective effect sizes of 0.72 and −0.44 at 6 months, and 0.94 and −0.59 at 12 months. However, significant changes in self‐efficacy were only found at the 12‐month follow‐up (P = 0.0213), among the nurses who attended more than 25% of the 20‐session curriculum. ECHO is a promising intervention to improve the accessibility of evidence‐based practice and to support nurses in suitably managing concurrent disorders. Further research is needed to establish the effectiveness of this educational intervention on clinical nursing practice and patient outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A strong association exists between the quality of nurse‐service user therapeutic relationship and care outcomes on acute mental health inpatient wards. Despite evidence that service users desire improved therapeutic engagement, and registered mental health nurses recognize the benefits of therapeutic relationships, such interactions remain sub‐optimal. There is a dearth of evidence on factors influencing implementation of interventions to support and encourage therapeutic engagement. This study aimed to understand the barriers and enablers to implementation of the Therapeutic Engagement Questionnaire (TEQ), across fifteen acute inpatient wards in seven English mental health organizations. Qualitative methods were used in which data were collected from ethnographic field notes and documentary review, coded, and analysed using thematic analysis. Theoretical framing supported data analysis and interpretation. Reporting adheres to the Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research. The TEQ as an evidence‐based intervention co‐produced with service users and nurses was valued and welcomed by many nurse directors, senior clinicians, and ward managers. However, a range of practical and perceptual factors impeded implementation. Furthermore, many existing contextual challenges for intervention implementation in acute inpatient wards were magnified by the COVID‐19 pandemic. Suitable facilitation to address these barriers can help support implementation of the TEQ, with some transferability to implementation of other interventions in these settings. Our study suggests several facilitation methods, brought together in a conceptual model, including encouragement of reflective, facilitative discussion meetings among stakeholders and researchers, effort put into winning nurse 'buy‐in' and identifying and supporting ward‐level agents of change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strengthening mental health nurses' (MHNs) resilience may help mitigate the negative effects of the emotional labour (EL) of their work. There is no prior evidence on MHNs' experiences of resilience in the context of EL. This interpretive qualitative study sought to explore how MHNs build and maintain their resilience in the face of high levels of EL. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 11 MHNs. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Four main themes were constructed. The first three; Being attuned to self and others, Having a positive mindset grounded in purpose, and Maintaining psychological equilibrium through proactive self‐care, describe how MHNs build and maintain their resilience. The fourth theme, Running on emotionally empty, describes what impedes MHNs' resilience. MHNs engaged in internal self‐regulatory processes to manage their mental and emotional state. They maintained intra‐ and inter‐personal boundaries and proactively used self‐care strategies to maintain their well‐being. Through this, they were able to replenish and sustain the energy required to maintain a state of equilibrium between themselves, their interpersonal practice, and their working environment, and to positively adapt to EL. However, lack of organizational support and high workplace demands can negatively impact MHNs' equilibrium and adaptive ability. There is a need for organizations to proactively work to reduce workplace stressors, and support MHNs' professional well‐being and practice. Education and support strategies focused on strengthening MHNs' resilience, well‐being, and mental health practice capabilities, including the provision of clinical supervision, and clear role expectations within MHNs' scope of practice are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate coping styles, posttraumatic stress, and mental health symptoms among a sample of community members affected by 2019–20 Australian bushfires. Using a convenience sampling approach, an online survey was used to assess a range of coping strategies, posttraumatic stress and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress among the affected community members of Black Summer bushfires. The results revealed that study participants reported moderate symptoms of depression and stress, and severe levels of anxiety. Additionally, participants reported use of both approach and avoidance coping strategies following the bushfire event as well as experiencing symptoms of posttraumatic stress, such as having intrusive thoughts and symptoms of avoidance and hyperarousal. Despite the durability of many individuals, others remain affected by the event and there is evidence there may be longer term mental health consequences of the bushfires for some people. Given these findings, it is imperative that mental health services be readily available for people in the bushfire‐affected areas. Mental health nurses have an important role to play in supporting individuals affected by disasters. Awareness of the short‐ and long‐term impacts of disasters on the mental health of people is paramount for mental health nurses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Critical workplace events (e.g., assaults), chronic stressors, burnout, and work conditions all affect nurse well‐being. The present study investigated associations among these sources of stress and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in psychiatric nurses, hypothesizing that burnout would mediate the paths between workplace stressors and PTSD. Surveys were completed by 611 psychiatric nurses or allied health staff working on inpatient units in three psychiatric hospitals. Participants reported on critical events and chronic stressors specific to providing psychiatric care and completed the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), Areas of Worklife Survey (AWS) (work conditions), and PTSD Checklist for DSM‐5. Data were analysed using structural equation modelling. Burnout had a direct relation to PTSD symptoms and partially mediated the effect of exposure to critical events, but not chronic stressors, on PTSD symptoms. Chronic stressors related to patients' disturbing behaviour (e.g., flooding room, eating non‐food items) had a direct effect on PTSD symptoms, but those related to resisting care (e.g., screaming constantly, physically resisting care) had no significant association. Worklife conditions had a negative direct effect on Burnout and indirect effect on PTSD, whereby participants reporting poorer alignment of work conditions with their expectations had higher Burnout and PTSD symptom scores. Different sources of workplace stress have different relations to PTSD symptoms, and Burnout has both direct and mediation effects. Interventions aimed at reducing patients' aggressive and disturbing acts and improving healthcare providers' burnout and worklife factors in hospitals may all be needed to reduce PTSD among psychiatric staff. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lockdown and social distancing measures during the COVID‐19 pandemic increase women's responsibilities and influence their mental health. This study aimed to assess the effect of COVID‐19 social distancing measures on mental well‐being and burnout levels of women using an online cross‐sectional survey in Turkey. The Warwick‐Edinburgh Mental Well‐being Scale, The Burnout Measure, and Sociodemographic form were used in this study. All analyses were performed on a sample of 438 women aged between 18 and 65. The mean score of mental well‐being was 47.86 (SD = 10.04) and the mean score of burnout was 3.86 (SD = 1.16). Being younger than 30 years old (t = 2.14, P = 0.033), having undergraduate education or above (F = 5.09, P = 0.007), part‐time working (F = 5.39, P = 0.005), attending to school (t = 2.68, P = 0.008), having COVID‐19 symptoms (t = 6.01, P < 0.001), and perceiving spousal emotional support (F = 3.47, P = 0.016) were the factors associated with high burnout. Being older than 30 years old (z = −3.11, P = 0.002), full time working (H = 11.96, P = 0.003), not attending to school (z = −2.09, P = 0.036), perceiving spousal emotional (H = 13.22, P = 0.004), or social (H = 13.11, P = 0.004) support were the factors associated with higher mental well‐being. Age (β = −0.03, P = 0.001), having two or more children (β = 0.42, P = 0.015), and perceiving COVID‐19 symptoms (β = −0.73, P < 0.001) were the predictors of women's burnout. This study shows that mental well‐being and burnout levels of women in Turkey have been considerably affected as a result of social distancing measures taken with the first wave of the pandemic. Findings signal the immediate need for targeted mental health nursing interventions. Therefore, technology‐based mental health support programmes are recommended to be designed and utilized by mental health nurses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self‐harm is common in mental health facilities, and coercive containment measures are sometimes used to manage it. Nurses' attitudes towards these measures have been investigated in relation to disturbed behaviour in general, but rarely to self‐harm specifically. We therefore investigated mental health nurses' use of and attitudes towards coercive measures (seclusion, restraint, intermittent and constant observations, forced intramuscular medication, and PRN medication) for self‐cutting management compared with for disturbed behaviours in general using a cross‐sectional, repeated measures survey design. Participants were N = 164 mental health nursing staff. Data collection was via a questionnaire comprising validated attitudinal measures. The study is reported in line with STROBE guidelines. Physical restraint (36.6%), forced intramuscular medication (32.3%) and seclusion (48.2%) had reportedly been used by individuals for self‐cutting management. Respondents disapproved of using each coercive measure for self‐cutting more than they did for disturbed behaviour in general with the exception of PRN medication. Attitudes to coercive measures differed across target behaviours. Hence, nurses who had used each measure for managing self‐cutting disapproved of it less for that purpose than those who had not. Nurses who had used coercive techniques for self‐cutting management had less desirable attitudes to their use. We cannot say whether prior use of these techniques led to increased approval or whether greater approval led to an increased willingness to use them. Reducing the use of coercive techniques for self‐harm will require attitudes that support its use to be challenged. Less coercive techniques should be encouraged. Harm reduction techniques offer one such alternative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite recent changes to mental health policy in Australia and overseas, physical restraint continues to be widely employed in mental health services. While mental health nurses have a critical role to play in supporting initiatives designed to reduce restraint, it is unclear how they feel about moves to restrict the use of prone restraint. In this qualitative study, focus group interviews were conducted with mental health nursing staff and lived experience workers (LEWs) to gain their perspectives on the use of physical restraint in general and the restrictions being placed on prone ('face down') restraint. Five themes emerged: justifying the need for restraint, reliance on the prone position, the position is not the issue, time limits, and the psychological impact. Although mental health nurses were concerned about the risks associated with physical restraint, they provided strong justification for continued use of the prone position. LEWs raised concerns about the psychological impact of prone restraint and noted the need for a greater emphasis on de‐escalation and other restraint avoidance strategies. The findings highlight the complexities and challenges to be considered when developing initiatives to reduce reliance on the use of restraint in general, and prone in particular. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nurses have key roles in caring for hospitalized patients. Missed nursing care can lead to adverse outcomes, from minor discomfort to patient death. Mental health nurses have a significant role in advancing knowledge and practice due to missed, delayed, or unfinished nursing care. They are identifying, escalating, and managing warning signs of mental and physical health deterioration where the risk to patients is high in terms of compromised care quality and neglect and the evidence is scant. This study aimed to examine mental health nurses' perceptions of missed nursing care in acute mental health inpatient units in an Australian regional health service. A cross‐sectional survey was undertaken using a modified Kalisch Phelan MISSCARE questionnaire and a qualitative content analysis was undertaken for narrative responses. Of 70 participants, the majority were aged 30–44 years, with >5 years of experience. The results indicated that care planning, safety audits, communication, and assessment of oral intake were perceived as care most frequently missed. Factors contributing to missed care need urgent exploration to ensure timely reduction of patient risk and enhancements to safe quality care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assessed the physical activities of Mental Health Nurses (MHN) in New Zealand against the 2018 World Health Organization recommended minimum levels of moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity. The research design was exploratory and descriptive as there were no previous studies about physical activity levels of MHNs in New Zealand. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ, Long Version) which included options for free‐text responses. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. A total of 266 participants returned the survey, a response rate of 4%, and a limitation of the study. More than 50% of MHNs reported <150 min of moderate‐to‐vigorous exercise per week for each of the four physical activity domains. When individual physical activity domains were combined, only 10% spent <150 min on moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity. Work‐related physical activities were higher for those working in the inpatient area than in community settings. Transport‐related physical activities were higher for those working in community settings. Participants registered from 6 to 20 years had more time sitting than other groups. Nurses aged 55 years and above showed the highest total physical activity levels. Moreover, healthcare organizations and nurse leaders need to promote physical activity and provide wellness intervention for their staff. Nurses who are physically active may be more effective in supporting their patients to increase their physical activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT A central challenge for empirical research of clinical supervision is how to measure the effectiveness of clinical supervision. The Manchester Clinical Supervision Scale (MCSS) measures supervisees' perception of the effectiveness of clinical supervision. The aims of this paper were to account for the translation of the MCSS from English into Danish and to present a preliminary psychometric validation of the Danish version of the scale. Methods included a formal translation/back-translation procedure and statistical analyses. The sample consisted of MCSS scores from 139 Danish mental health nursing staff members. The total MCSS score had good internal consistency, but the analyses identified a number of reliability and consistency issues. The results were compared with other translations of the MCSS and with the reduced version of the MCSS, the MCSS-26. The discussion indicated that MCSS theoretically refers to a broad conception of supervision, which includes supervision practices ranging from highly formalized events to more frequent ad hoc sessions. The MCSS's intention to measure perceptions of supervisees from this variety of practices may be problematic, and it is suggested that a further reduction of the type of practices MCSS currently aims at measuring could be beneficial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT The present study was carried out to determine the dietary habits of patients with schizophrenia and the influence of these habits on the degree of obesity. The study was developed in a sample of 159 patients, who were given a self-reported questionnaire, to ascertain the influence of socio-familiar aspects, pharmacological treatment, and dietary habits. Anthropometric measurements (body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC)) were also taken. Patients with schizophrenia presented unhealthy dietary habits, as indicated by the finding that 51% of the patients took no longer than 15 min to eat, 40.8% did not eat fruit daily, and 63.1% did not eat fish. Women were three times more likely to be obese than men (odds ratio (OR) = 2.91, P = 0.021). Patients classified as having unhealthy dietary habits have a 2.33-fold higher risk of obesity than patients with good dietary habits (OR = 2.33, P = 0.034). In summary, this paper highlights the fact that patients with schizophrenia have a detrimental dietary pattern that is associated with an increase in BMI and WC, with the consequent development of obesity and related metabolic alterations, regardless of the pharmacological treatment being followed. Future research directions will include exploring the need for nutritional education programmes to improve the dietary habits of such patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT This paper reports on a survey of mental health clinician views of including people with psychosis and negative symptoms in outcome research. A questionnaire was forwarded to clinicians (the majority of whom were mental health nurses) completing post-registration undergraduate and postgraduate degree courses in psychosocial interventions for psychosis. Fifty questionnaires were returned (a response rate of 84.7%). A total of 47% of respondents indicated that they might refrain from offering this group as potential participants to clinical trials. Thematic analysis suggests views that negative symptoms are not amenable to treatment inform such decisions. The results highlight the potential difficulties faced by researchers investigating new treatments for people with negative symptoms, and suggest further exploration of clinician views of referring this group to research and psychosocial treatments is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

If consumer participation is to be translated from rhetoric into reality, the attitudes of health professionals need to be addressed. Educational strategies can play an important role, but measures of attitudes are needed to determine the effectiveness of these strategies. This paper seeks to establish the Mental Health Consumer Participation Questionnaire (MHCPQ) on psychometric grounds, and explore attitude levels. Overall, the 150 nursing students who participated saw consumer participation in a favourable light, although this varied with the nature and extent of involvement. Psychometric properties, attitude structure, and attitude differences are reported. The MHCPQ displays good face validity and can be further developed and used in mental health-care settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Culture plays a vital role in shaping public and professional attitudes towards mental illness. In Arab cultures negative attitudes toward patients experiencing mental illnesses are common. There is a lack of studies that investigate the attitudes of professionals towards patients in inpatient mental health settings. This study aimed to assess the attitudes of professionals towards patients with mental illnesses in the only psychiatric hospital in Palestine. A survey was undertaken using the Attitudes Toward Acute Mental Health Scale (ATAMHS 33). The scale was distributed to a variety of professionals at the only psychiatric hospital in Bethlehem. Data was managed and analysed by using SPSS 15 (a statistical package for social sciences). The participants (mostly nurses) expressed both negative and positive attitudes toward patients, however, results revealed more negative than positive attitudes, particularly in relation to alcohol misuse, medication, patients' ability to control their emotions, and genetic predisposition to mental illness. This paper provides baseline data about the attitude of mental health professionals towards patients experiencing mental illnesses. Education and direct contact with patients with mental illness may not be enough to foster positive attitudes towards them. This may indicate the need to revise educational curriculum at the Palestinian universities and offer more training for mental health professionals in order to change their attitudes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim was to (i) compare the rates of perceived stress, post‐traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and other potential correlates (i.e., resilience, social support, coping strategies, and loneliness) in the general population between the two COVID‐19 lockdowns in Greece and (ii) explore risk and protective factors of PTSS. Online data were collected amid the first (timepoint 1‐T1) and second lockdown (timepoint 2‐T2) by 1009 and 352 participants, respectively. The PTSD Checklist for DSM‐5 and the Perceived Stress Scale measured levels of PTSS and perceived stress. The Brief Resilience Scale, the COPE, the revised UCLA Loneliness Scale, and the ENRICHD Social Support Instrument measured resilience, coping strategies, loneliness, and social support, respectively. Higher levels of PTSS and perceived stress were reported during T2, compared to T1. Clinically significant levels of PTSS were presented by 26.1% and 35.5% of the participants during T1 and T2, respectively. Higher levels of loneliness and use of maladaptive coping strategies and lower levels of social support, resilience and use of adaptive coping strategies were also found. During both lockdowns, PTSS were predicted by perceived stress, loneliness, reduced resilience and the coping strategies of denial and self‐blame. PTSS were associated with younger age, female gender, being single, not having children, and the evaluation of the pandemic as a crisis. The findings highlight the significant public mental health concerns during the COVID‐19 lockdowns. Understanding the risk and protective factors against PTSS and focusing on vulnerable populations should be prioritized by the governments worldwide in the development of evidence‐based interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID‐19 pandemic has presented many novel situations that have amplified the presence of moral distress in healthcare. With limited resources to protect themselves against the virus and strict safety regulations that alter the way they work, healthcare providers have felt forced to engage in work behaviours that conflicted with their professional and personal sense of right and wrong. Although many providers have experienced moral distress while being physically in the workplace, others suffered while at home. Some healthcare providers worked in facilities that were unable to open during the pandemic due to restrictions, which could contribute to a sense of powerlessness and guilt. The current study assessed whether the ability to see patients each week impacted the relationship between an employee's moral distress and their mental health strain, burnout, and maladaptive coping. A total of 378 healthcare providers responded to weekly surveys over the course of 7 months (April 2020–December 2020). Hierarchical linear modeling techniques were used to examine the study variables over time. Results showed that moral distress predicted an individual's mental health strain and burnout, even after controlling for the prior week. However, moral distress was not a significant predictor of maladaptive coping. Interestingly, there was not a significant difference between the average ratings of moral distress between those who were able, and those who were not able to see patients, meaning that both groups experienced symptoms of moral distress. However, cross‐level moderation results indicated that the ability to see patients magnified the relationships between moral distress and mental health strain and burnout over time. Implications of the results and recommendations for how moral distress should be addressed among healthcare providers are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The life expectancy of people with severe mental illnesses is substantially reduced, and monitoring and screening for physical health problems is a key part of addressing this health inequality. Inpatient admission presents a window of opportunity for this health-care activity. The present study was conducted in a forensic mental health unit in England. A personal physical health plan incorporating clearly-presented and easily-understood values and targets for health status in different domains was developed. Alongside this, a brief physical education session was delivered to health-care staff ( n = 63). Printed learning materials and pedometers and paper tape measures were also provided. The impact was evaluated by a single-group pretest post-test design; follow-up measures were 4 months' post-intervention. The feasibility and acceptability of personal health plans and associated resources were examined by free-text questionnaire responses. Fifty-seven staff provided measures of attitudes and knowledge before training and implementation of the physical health plans. Matched-pairs analysis indicated a modest but statistically-significant improvement in staff knowledge scores and attitudes to involvement in physical health care. Qualitative feedback indicated limited uptake of the care plans and perceived need for additional support for better adoption of this initiative. Inpatient admission is a key setting for assessing physical health and promoting improved management of health problems. Staff training and purpose-designed personalized care plans hold potential to improve practice and outcomes in this area, but further support for such innovations appears necessary for their uptake in inpatient mental health settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID‐19 significantly affects patients' mental health, triggering a wide range of psychological disorders, including anxiety. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of mandala colouring on the anxiety of hospitalized COVID‐19 patients. In this randomized controlled clinical trial, 70 hospitalized patients with COVID‐19 were randomly divided between the intervention and control groups. Standard care was provided for both groups. The intervention group spent 30 min/day for six consecutive days performing mandala colouring. Patient anxiety was measured prior and subsequent to the intervention in both groups using the Spielberger State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory. Data were analysed using SPSS software version 25. The mean anxiety score was not significantly different between the two groups before the intervention (P = 0.08). Subsequent to the intervention, the mean anxiety score in the intervention and control groups was 44.05 ± 4.67 and 67.85 ± 6.25, respectively, indicating a statistically significant (P = 0.0001) decrease in the anxiety measured among the intervention group as compared with that of the control group. The results of this study show that 30 min of mandala colouring daily is an effective strategy for reducing anxiety in hospitalized COVID‐19 patients. Mandala colouring can complement routine treatment and provides a non‐pharmaceutical option for decreasing patient anxiety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Literature shows that mental healthcare workers in Ghana face incessant fear of patient violence that compromise safe care delivery. However, the nature, scale, perceived causes, and consequences of these assaults and how they shape risk perceptions have received limited empirical attention, hence the need for this study. The study employed sequential explanatory mixed methods where questionnaire administration preceded and informed the design of an interview guide used for in‐depth interviews with health workers in referral psychiatric hospitals. Descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regressions were used to analyze the quantitative data. Qualitative data were transcribed and analyzed thematically. Findings showed that physical and non‐physical violent assaults and risk perceptions of the hospitals were statistically and significantly associated with females (P < 0.01), nurses (P < 0.01), other clinical cadre (P < 0.01), and those with low job tenure (P < 0.05). About 57% and 71% of the sample reported experiencing physical and non‐physical assaults, respectively. Major and minor injuries and psychosocial problems were frequent sequelae following physical violent assaults. As a result, 80% of the participants perceived the hospitals environment to be unsafe to provide care. Violent assaults compromises safety and care delivery efforts suggesting the need for systematic interventions to minimize mental healthcare workers exposure to patient violence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to explore the relationship between stressful life events, coping styles, and schizophrenia relapse. The sample for this study included 248 patients with schizophrenia from a psychiatric outpatient clinic in Hunan Province, China. Stressful life events, occurrence of schizophrenia relapse, and coping style were assessed by the Scale for the Social Readjustment Rating, Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, and Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire, respectively. Spearman correlation analysis and binary logistic regression analysis were adopted to explore the relationships among coping styles, schizophrenia relapse, and stressful life events. Stressful life events and negative coping exhibited significant positive association with schizophrenia relapse, while positive coping exhibited a significant negative association with schizophrenia relapse. Stressful life events and positive coping exerted significant effects on schizophrenia relapse, while negative coping did not. We also found that both positive coping and negative coping have moderating effects on the relationship between stressful life events and schizophrenia relapse, but the relationship is weak. The study highlighted the importance of interventions designed to reduce stressful life events, promote positive coping, and address negative coping in patients with schizophrenia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psychiatric decision units have been developed in many countries internationally to address the pressure on inpatient services and dissatisfactory, long waits people in mental health crisis can experience in emergency departments. Research into these units lags behind their development, as they are implemented by healthcare providers to address these problems. This is the first‐ever national survey to identify their prevalence, structure, activities, and contextual setting within health services, in order to provide a robust basis for future research. The response rate was high (94%), and six PDUs in England were identified. The results indicated that PDUs open 24/7, accept only voluntary patients, provide recliner chairs for sleeping rather than beds, and limit stays to 12–72 hours. PDUs are predominantly staffed by senior, qualified mental health nurses and healthcare assistants, with psychiatry input. Staff:patient ratios are high (1:2.1 during the day shift). Differences in PDU structure and activities (including referral pathway, length of stay, and staff:patient ratios) were identified, suggesting the optimal configuration for PDUs has not yet been established. Further research into the efficacy of this innovation is needed; PDUs potentially have a role in an integrated crisis care pathway which provides a variety of care options to service users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recovery is internationally recognized as a concept to improve the well‐being of consumers. Compared with the numerous measures assessing consumer perspectives of recovery, only a few measures have been developed to assess Mental Health Professionals' (MHPs) perspectives of recovery to inform practice. The present study aims to systematically review the literature to identify existing measures designed to assess MHPs' perspectives of recovery and evaluate their psychometric properties, and the methodological considerations of the design and use of these measures. We searched literature across eight electronic databases: MEDLINE, Web of Science, PsycINFO, PsyArticles, CINAHL, Scopus, EMBASE, and Google scholar. We identified 2631 articles across all databases. Of these, 40 articles met the inclusion criteria, which comprised 14 original measures assessing mental health recovery and 26 articles reassessing the psychometric properties of the original 14 measures. Our results suggested that while there are existing measures for assessing MHPs' perspectives of recovery, only a few of these measures met standard evaluation criteria for psychometric properties. Specifically, the validation of the identified measures is still in its infancy. For example, the easiness of applying the measures differs among the studies, and only a few of the measures fully involved consumers in the scale development phase. The implication of the findings for future use and development of recovery measures in mental health practice and research are discussed and recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study tools examining psychological distress, fear of COVID‐19 and coping amongst migrants and non‐migrants in Australia are very limited. The aim of this research was to assess the psychometric properties and correlation of the English version of Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K‐10), Fear of COVID‐19 Scale (FCSV‐19S), and Brief Resilient Coping Scale (BRCS) tools during the COVID‐19 pandemic situation in Australia. Data from a cross‐sectional survey (n = 516) were utilized to examine reliability; 299 (57.9%) were migrants. High internal consistency, as evidenced by Cronbach's alpha, was found for the K‐10 (0.92), FCV‐19S (0.87) and BRCS (0.66) tools. The corresponding values for migrants and non‐migrants were (0.92, 0.87, 0.67) and (0.92, 0.86, 0.63), respectively. Item‐total correlations ranged 0.57‐0.78 for K‐10, 0.62–0.69 for FCV‐19S, and 0.39–0.50 for BRCS tools. EFA retained a single factor for each tool with adequate factor loadings. The scoring of K‐10 was significantly predicted by the scoring of FCV‐19S (r = 0.284, P < 0.001) and BRCS tool (r = 0.132, P < 0.01). Therefore, these tools can be used reliably amongst both migrant and non‐migrant population in Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 'Experienced Involvement' (EX‐IN) training programme prepares and certifies individuals who have experienced mental health problems to work as peer support workers and to support others challenged by similar conditions. We aimed to assess the impact of the EX‐IN training on hope, self‐efficacy, introspection, stigma resistance, personal recovery, health‐related quality of life and employment in participants. Data was collected using standardized assessment instruments before the training started (t1) and upon course completion (t2). Data from 103 participants who participated in both measurement times were included into data analysis. Participants significantly improved their recovery, stigma resistance and introspection during the EX‐IN training. In addition, a significant higher proportion of participants were employed at t2. Participants whose last inpatient stay was 0–1 year before the start of the EX‐IN training showed significantly lower levels of stigma resistance, and self‐efficacy at t1 than participants with two or more years since the last inpatient stay. There were no significant changes in mean values over time, or in the mean values at t2 between the two groups. EX‐IN training has a positive influence on the handling of stigma, on one's recovery path and introspection. This indicates that EX‐IN training has a therapeutic effect on the participants. EX‐IN training seems to meet the challenges of peer support work. Therefore, the training can be recommended as preparation for working as a peer support worker as well as an intervention to improve one´s recovery process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A large‐scale survey study was conducted to assess trauma, burnout, posttraumatic growth, and associated factors for nurses in the COVID‐19 pandemic. The Trauma Screening Questionnaire, Maslach Burnout Inventory, and Posttraumatic Growth Inventory‐Short Form were utilized. Factors associated with trauma, burnout, and posttraumatic growth were analysed using logistic and multiple regressions. In total, 12 596 completed the survey, and 52.3% worked in COVID‐19 designated hospitals. At the survey's conclusion in April, 13.3% reported trauma (Trauma ≥ 6), there were moderate degrees of emotional exhaustion, and 4,949 (39.3%) experienced posttraumatic growth. Traumatic response and emotional exhaustion were greater among (i) women (odds ratio [OR]: 1.48, 95% CI 1.12–1.97 P = 0.006; emotional exhaustion OR: 1.30, 95% CI 1.09–1.54, P = 0.003), (ii) critical care units (OR: 1.20, 95% CI 1.06–1.35, P = 0.004; emotional exhaustion OR: 1.23, 95% CI 1.12–1.33, P < 0.001) (iii) COVID‐19 designated hospital (OR: 1.24, 95% CI 1.11–1.38; P < 0.001; emotional exhaustion OR: 1.26, 95% CI 1.17–1.36; P < 0.001) and (iv) COVID‐19‐related departments (OR: 1.16, 95% CI 1.04–1.29, P = 0.006, emotional exhaustion only). To date, this is the first large‐scale study to report the rates of trauma and burnout for nurses during the COVID‐19 pandemic. The study indicates that nurses who identified as women, working in ICUs, COVID‐19 designated hospitals, and departments involved with treating COVID‐19 patients had higher scores in mental health outcomes. Future research can focus on the factors the study has identified that could lead to more effective prevention and treatment strategies for adverse health outcomes and better use of resources to promote positive outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Suicide prevention and treatment opportunities often depend on interpersonal contact between patients and professionals. Presently, there is a lack of valid and reliable instruments to obtain the perspective of patients with suicidal ideation regarding their contact with professionals in mental health wards. This was a three‐stage study to develop and psychometrically evaluate a questionnaire: the Contact with Nurses from the perspective of Patients with Suicidal ideation (CoNuPaS). First, the construct was defined by a systematic review, qualitative study, and face validity among experts. Second, the content was validated through a Delphi procedure with professional experts (n = 14) and cognitive interviews with hospitalized patients (n = 12). Third, using a sample of adult patients with suicidal ideation in the past year (n = 405), the psychometric properties were assessed by an exploratory factor analysis, a test‐retest procedure, and the internal consistency. The CoNuPaS comprises 23 items and two subsections, to examine patients' perceptions of contact experiences with nurses (CoNuPaS‐experience) and what they find important in that contact (CoNuPaS‐importance). The subsections comprise four components: encountering a space to express suicidal thoughts and explore needs, being recognized as a unique and self‐determining individual, encountering nurses' availability/information‐sharing/transparency on expectations, and trusting nurses in communication about suicidality. Content validity scores were excellent (0.78–1.00); test‐retest intraclass correlation coefficient and internal consistency were >0.90. Thus, the CoNuPaS demonstrated good psychometric properties. The availability of a valid questionnaire to examine patient‐nurse contact in mental health wards is central to improving understanding of nurses' contributions to suicide prevention and suicidal ideation treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainability is a desired outcome of implementation. Understanding how organizations support new practices after implementation is important for sustainability. Let's Talk about Children (hereby referred to as 'Let's Talk'), a family‐focused intervention with parents with a mental illness, improves family, parent, and child outcomes. Little is understood about how organizations support sustained practice. The study aimed to (i) understand the implementation process that occurred in eight adult mental health services during a previous randomized controlled trial; (ii) establish their continued capacity to embed Let's Talk; and (iii) explore links between organizational capacity and sustained delivery by practitioners. This mixed method study used a questionnaire and individual interviews to collect data on the implementation process and current organizational capacity to support Let's Talk 12months after the randomized controlled trial. Links between organizational capacity and the adult mental health services with practitioners' continuing to use Let's Talk in the past 12 months were explored. Services with higher current organizational capacity scores had practitioners currently delivering Let's Talk. These services had all made changes to their organizational structures to support Let's Talk practice. All services experienced significant changes during and after implementation, influencing sustainability of Let's Talk. Addressing organizational capacity appears to be important to enable sustainability of Let's Talk implementation endeavours. Real‐world settings are constantly changing systems requiring ongoing tracking and adjustments to understand and support sustainability. Internal service development staff appear to support the shaping of organizational capacity to support Let's Talk; however, broader organizational support is needed for change within a complex system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to examine the association between physical health conditions and quality of life and functioning in private psychiatric inpatients. We sought to determine whether quality of life and functioning was poorer in individuals with physical comorbidity compared to those without. A quantitative correlational descriptive design was utilized. Seventy patients were included in sequential order within a week of admission to hospital. Participants completed the SF‐36 survey, and the corresponding hospital records were audited. The STROBE guidelines were followed in the reporting of this research. The study found that 64.3% (45/70) of participants had one or more comorbid physical health conditions, primarily cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal, endocrine and medically unexplained conditions or syndromes. Chronic pain was experienced by 40% (28/70) of participants, and 47.6% (33/70) were found to be overweight or obese. Tobacco smoking and obesity were risk factors associated with physical comorbidity (P = 0.02 and P < 0.001, respectively). Quality of life and functioning were poorer in those with physical health conditions, particularly in the SF‐36 domains of bodily pain, physical functioning and general health (P < 0.001, P = 0.003 and P = 0.005, respectively). Physical health conditions were largely prevalent, and quality of life and functioning were poorer in those with physical comorbidities. The implementation of clinical guidelines for the monitoring of physical health has been proposed as well as a dedicated physical health nursing role. Continuation of integrative programmes focusing on both physical and mental health may also benefit patients in this setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Loneliness is a common and debilitating problem in individuals with mental health disorders. However, our knowledge on severity of loneliness in different mental health diagnostic groups and factors associated with loneliness is poor, thus limiting the ability to target and improve loneliness interventions. The current study investigated the association between diagnoses and loneliness and explored whether psychological and social factors were related to loneliness. This study employed a cross‐sectional design using data from a completed study which developed a measure of social inclusion. It included 192 participants from secondary, specialist mental health services with a primary diagnosis of psychotic disorders (n = 106), common mental disorders (n = 49), or personality disorders (n = 37). The study explored differences in loneliness between these broad diagnostic groups, and the relationship to loneliness of: affective symptoms, social isolation, perceived discrimination, and internalized stigma. The study adhered to the STROBE checklist for observational research. People with common mental disorders (MD = 3.94, CI = 2.15 to 5.72, P < 0.001) and people with personality disorders (MD = 4.96, CI = 2.88 to 7.05, P < 0.001) reported higher levels of loneliness compared to people with psychosis. These differences remained significant after adjustment for all psychological and social variables. Perceived discrimination and internalized stigma were also independently associated with loneliness and substantially contributed to a final explanatory model. The severity of loneliness varies between different mental health diagnostic groups. Both people with common mental disorders and personality disorders reported higher levels of loneliness than people with psychosis. Addressing perceived mental health discrimination and stigma may help to reduce loneliness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Family‐focused interventions can improve outcomes for families where a parent has a mental illness. One such intervention, Let's Talk about Children (Let's Talk), is a series of parent–practitioner conversations in adult mental health with demonstrated improved outcomes for child, parent, and family well‐being. This study used a questionnaire to understand the application of Let's Talk by n = 73 trained practitioners from eight adult mental health services who were previously involved in a randomized controlled study in Victoria, Australia. Data were analysed to establish the application of Let's Talk, and statistical analyses were undertaken to identify what influenced practitioners' delivery of Let's Talk. The study details how practitioners used Let's Talk and indicates that most used it as designed, with the majority offering it to parents and approximately 40% delivering it. The findings indicate there is a decline over time in both the number of practitioners using Let's Talk and the number of deliveries over time. Practitioners' use of Let's Talk was influenced by their gender, profession, access to support, time since training, and caseload. The article discusses the implications of these results for sustaining Let's Talk in adult mental health services. While this study gives a baseline of practitioners' application of Let's Talk, further exploration of the experience of practitioners and parents as well as other system factors will be helpful to understand barriers and enablers to continued practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Undertaking a mental health clinical placement can be anxiety‐provoking for nursing students at times. There is a need to adequately prepare undergraduate nursing students for clinical placement in a mental health setting in relation to their skills and confidence. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a mental health simulation workshop on the skills and confidence of nursing students in providing care to consumers living with a mental illness. The study also evaluated the design of the mental health simulation workshop from an educational perspective. A pre/post‐test survey was administered to a cohort of N = 89 Australian pre‐registration nursing students. Exploratory factor analysis identified three factors: Mental health therapeutic engagement, mental health assessment skills, and mental health placement preparedness. Analyses of pre–post differences indicated that all three factors were significantly different between the initial and follow‐up responses, with follow‐up responses being more favourable. The findings of this study demonstrate that there is value in including mental health simulated patient exercise as part of the learning strategies in the curriculum of pre‐registration nurses. This has implications for the quality of care in the clinical environment and level of preparedness of these students' nurses for mental health clinical placement where they will be providing care to consumers living with a mental illness under direct supervision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Living well in spite of residual symptoms of mental illness is measured with the construct of personal recovery. The CHIME framework might be suitable to evaluate personal recovery measures and guide instrument choice. Three validated measures were evaluated in Dutch patients with a psychotic disorder (N = 52). We compared the Recovery Assessment Scale (RAS), the Mental Health Recovery Measure (MHRM), and the Netherlands Empowerment List (NEL). The measures were assessed on six criteria: content validity (based on CHIME), convergent validity with a social support measure, internal consistency, floor and ceiling effects, item interpretability, and ease of administration. The MHRM scored high on content validity with a balanced distribution of items covering the CHIME framework. The MHRM and the NEL showed moderate convergent validity with social support. In all three measures, internal consistency was moderate and floor and ceiling effects were absent. The NEL scores demonstrated a high degree of item interpretability. Ease of administration was moderate for all three measures. Finally, the CHIME framework demonstrated good utility as a framework in guiding instrument choice and evaluation of personal recovery measures. The MHRM showed the best overall result. However, differences between measures were minimal. Generalization of the results is limited by cultural and linguistic factors in the assessment for the subjective measures (i.e. content validity and item interpretability). The broad and multidimensional construct of personal recovery might lead to ambiguous interpretations. Scientific consensus on a well‐defined personal recovery construct is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]