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This study explores how 'user led' workshops for mental health workers were evaluated and subsequent effects upon professional power, practice and partnership working. Research methods involved observation of workshops, semi-structured interviews with course participants and analysis of evaluation forms. A content analysis of the evaluations, interviews and observation notes were interpreted in relation to literature on user involvement, professional power, practice and partnership working, although sub themes emerged during the process including safety and accountability, Care Programme Approach, resources in practice and resistance to change.;The findings reveal that the reaction of nurses to user involvement has been mixed and two groups have emerged. One group are more accepting of user involvement, the user perspective and seek more equality and partnerships with users. They espouse the rhetoric and implement the policy on user involvement and the study reveals a number of changes to their professional practice as a result of the workshop. However even in this group user involvement and partnership may be negated by the need to defer to others or legal and professional imperatives.;In contrast there is a second group who, may also espouse the rhetoric of user involvement and partnership working but nevertheless feel threatened by it. These nurses have been resistant to policy developments, are tokenistic in their acceptance of the user perspective and reluctant to change practice. They do not regard users as equal partners or engage in partnership working. This research has demonstrated therefore that user involvement in education and training can have a beneficial effect upon the working practices of some professionals but there remains a group for whom education alone is less effective.

The aim of the research was to explore the emotional reactions of nursing staff to patient aggression within a psychiatric setting. More specifically, it aimed to investigate a number of factors associated with staff emotional reactions, including their perceived self-efficacy in dealing with such behaviour. The study additionally aimed to investigate the association between the negative emotions experienced by nursing staff and the intended management of aggressive behaviour.;Method. Sixty-six staff working within a NHS Treatment and Recovery Service completed a self-report questionnaire. Participants rated their emotional reactions and perceived self-efficacy after reading a vignette of patient aggression directed towards them. Staff then rated how likely they would manage the incident of aggression. Finally, demographic, support and training information was elicited.;Results. Significant associations were found between staff emotional reactions and perceived self-efficacy. Associations were found between various dimensions of emotional reactions and experience and support variables. Regression analyses revealed that perceived self-efficacy was a negative predictor of the fear/anxiety dimension of negative emotional reactions. For the depression/anger dimension, perceived self-efficacy was a negative predictor and support from the team leader was a positive predictor. Perceived self-efficacy was associated with various experience variables and training in breakaway techniques. Correlational analysis highlighted that negative emotional reactions were linked to more punitive, firm and avoidant management strategies.;Conclusion. The results are consistent with much of the literature surrounding staff emotional reactions to challenging behaviour and are discussed in relation to previous research. Clinical implications of the research are explored, and it is concluded that different interventions are needed to address staff negative emotional reactions to patient aggression. Further, measures could be adopted to increase perceived self-efficacy and support. Directions for future research are suggested and final conclusions made.

This thesis examines recruitment and retention in mental health nursing in England between 1948 and 1968. Its first objective is to explore the explanations hat were given for the severe shortage of mental nurses that occurred in this period. The study will look at the official views on this topic, such as those of politicians, civil servants, senior nurses, psychiatrists, union leaders and administrators. It will also discuss the views of mental nurses themselves as to why this occurred. The second objective is to analyse the strategies that were adopted in an attempt to improve both recruitment and retention in this period.

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This thesis reports a study that aimed to generate a description and (an understanding) of registered nurses’ experiences in working with sex offenders in two high secure settings in the United Kingdom (UK). Nurses, it is argued, play a pivotal role in the rehabilitation of sex offenders (Scheela 1997). Faced with the responsibility for working with sex offenders, nurses encounter a challenging task (Addo 2002). Sexual offence is an emotive subject that engenders many prejudices and blind spots (Prins 1986; O’Rourke 1997). Little evidence exists in the nursing literature regarding this topic in the UK context. This study set out to address this gap. The methodological approach used is that of hermeneutic and phenomenology (Gadamer 1976). A purposeful sample of nine trained nurses working with sex offenders in two high secure settings in the UK participated. Data were collected by in-depth tape-recorded interviews in the participants’ place of work, and analysed using an interpretive approach. The central finding in the present study suggests that the nurses experienced a complex interplay of personal and professional difficulties, and emotional reactions in working with the sex offenders that goes beyond their professional life. This includes Entering the Job, Engaging with Clients; Naivety; Work Environment; Dilemmas; Stress; Personality Change; Feeling Unsupported; Gender Vulnerability; Survival Strategies and Job Rewards. The findings illuminate the impact of these on the realities of the nurse’s work with sex offenders which are described as “The Unseen Abyss- walking into the dark”. It is concluded that the nurses’ narratives provide a thick, rich and meaningful insight into their work with sex offenders, and their need for effective specialist education, supervision and support for such practice. It is recommended that further research is undertaken to examine issues raised in this study, in order to devise and evaluate methods for achieving this preparation for nurses, and the effective provision of support systems to safeguard their practice and occupational health.

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No description available.