Childhood abuse and neglect, as suffered by in-patients of medium secure psychiatric hospitals, is an under-researched clinical variable within the literature. Associated study and work in this area is considered to be a core skill of the forensic mental health nurse (FMHN), as well as of other clinicians working in such hospitals. The study undertook an examination of childhood abuse and neglect in three medium secure units (n= 117), finding that 41% of the sample suffered abuse/neglect in childhood/adolescence. An examination of a wide range of patient characteristics in the units was also conducted, findings included observations of 94% of patients having committed a violent index offence, and 81.2% of patients being diagnosed with schizophrenia. A hypothesis test conducted on this data revealed a significant relationship between the gender of patients and abuse/neglect suffered in childhood. A further analysis of inter-rater reliability was undertaken, of FMHN's and Nurse Consultants against a Benchmark nurse, in rating the severity of abuse suffered by inpatients. This revealed findings of both fair to moderate, and poor agreement, between the nurses, Nurse Consultants and Benchmark nurse. Allied study of a range of clinicians knowledge and opinions concerning agreement or disagreement with statements related to concepts of abuse, mental disorder and violence revealed mixed results, dependent upon either a quantitative analysis indicating no variation amongst the clinician's, or qualitative analysis identifying some specific differences. The study overall has concluded that the use of a mixed methodology is beneficial to examining consistency of agreement, and knowledge and opinions, regarding clinical phenomena amongst clinicians. The study makes recommendations in terms of adjustments to forensic educational curricula and clinical practice, regarding inclusion of more, and improved, information concerning childhood abuse and neglect.

<p> Nursing students often harbor negative stereotypes and feel unknowledgeable and unprepared to work with mentally ill people. In addition, nursing students rarely choose the psychiatric specialty as a career option. A quantitative quasi-experimental study was conducted to examine nursing student feelings about engaging those with behavioral health problems. Over 300 nursing students in eight Bachelor of Science in Nursing professional nursing programs were surveyed on the first and last day of their program&rsquo;s psychiatric mental health nursing course (the independent variable). A valid and reliable survey instrument was used to collect nursing student responses characterizing attitudes, impressions of knowledge and preparedness, and career interests relative to psychiatric nursing. This work was supported by the theoretical tenants of Labeling Theory, Benner&rsquo;s Model, and Peplau&rsquo;s Theory on Interpersonal Relations. Statistical Package for Social Sciences software was used for exploration of the data. Data examination included descriptive analysis and paired <i> t</i> tests of four component subscales identified by the survey tool authors which were associated with the research questions and research hypotheses in this study. The results indicated nursing students manifest negative attitudes and a moderate sense of knowledge of and preparedness for interacting with the mentally ill. In addition, nursing students had a low interest in behavioral health as a career path. However, significant improvements in all of these factors except the latter were observed at the end of the psychiatric mental health nursing course. Nurse educators may use the information generated from this project to modify psychiatric nursing courses for fostering improvement in student feelings about the mental health specialty.</p>

Background: Although mental disorders is of great public health concern among Kenyan populations, mental health services remain poor. Some of the reasons attributed to delivery of poor mental health services are unfavourable work environment and lack of policy guidelines including a conceptual model of nursing.Quality of mental health nursing care significantly impacts on general mental health services in Kenya since they are predominantly provided by nurses. Lack of a model to guide care and improve mental health services created the need to develop the Kenyan Human Interaction Model for mental health nursing practice. Purpose: The purpose of the study was to discover and develop a Kenyan model for mental health nursing guided by two research questions, namely: What are the views of Kenyan mental health nurses with regards to human being, environment, mental health nursing and mental health: What is the appropriate model for mental health nursing practice in Kenya? Methodology: Straussian Grounded Theory method was used in the study. Data were collected for 6 months through in-depth interviews with 33 registered mental health nurses selected by open, purposive and theoretical sampling methods. Inductive and deductive data analysis of the nurses' description of their views and recommendations on the nursing metaparadigms were done Findings: A substantive theory of the Kenyan Human Interaction Model for mental health nursing practice was developed .The four metaparadigm concepts of the discovered theory are: 1. Human being as a unique biopsychosocio-spiritual being and causal condition 2. Environment consisting of homely and hostile dimensions 3. Mental health nursing as a holistic care founded on human interaction 4. Mental health (consequence of holistic care) with optimum and illness dimensions. Mental health nursing was discovered as the central phenomena interacting with its causal, contexts and intervening conditions to determine the mental health dimension of the human being. The quality of mental health nursing determines the mental health dimensions and is influenced by the environment and nurses' characteristics as contexts and intervening conditions respectively. These interactions lead to consequences discovered as optimum mental health. The Kenya Human Interaction Model for mental health nursing practice is customized to the Kenyan situation and contributes knowledge which is relevant to mental health nursing practitioners, students, educators and administrators.

This research investigated the experiences and practices of mental health registered nurses working within an acute mental health facility. The research explored the workplace environment and sought to gain a greater understanding of the elements that contribute to a safe and healthy workplace setting.The research methodology utilised a critical feminist framework. Thirteen women participants were involved in the research project including myself as a research participant. All participants were employed in an acute mental health facility in New South Wales. Four research methods were incorporated into the study these were focus groups, individual interviews, reflective journaling and creative expression and journaling. The study revealed a diverse range of opinion on nursing culture and profession, linking individual experience with group connectiveness, value and belonging.The findings of this research demonstrated that the women’s experience and practices as registered nurses working in mental health care were influenced directly by the management of the health service organisation and the operational leadership within the mental health facility. The data revealed five themes, these were: stress and mental health nursing practice, coping with violence, professional development, the spirit of nursing and the therapeutic relationship.Overall there were numerous links between the women’s experiences as nurses and their relationships with their colleagues, patients and the community. The results exposed professional pressures and inherent tensions within mental health nursing and highlighted an urgency to review a current health care structureThe study identified environmental factors that impacted upon the workplace and revealed a dichotomy between the nurses’ perception of care and their ability to provide it. The research raised disquiet regarding violence and aggression, inadequate career structure, recruitment, retention and education. Jutxaposed to this, the research identified collegial friendship, spirituality and stress management as contributing factors to a safe and healthy workplace. Finally, the notions of teamwork, diversity and creativity were found to be intrinsically linked to job satisfaction and client outcome.

<p> This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between the use of self-regulatory resource management strategies and academic achievement in student veterans with PTSD symptoms. There have been several studies conducted pertaining to the transitional issues veterans face while enrolling in education and self-reports of veteran&rsquo;s perceived support from faculty and the adequacy of campus resources. There have not been any studies performed to evaluate why some veteran students excel in post secondary education while others fail to succeed. </p><p> Twenty-five veterans were recruited through email to participate in a three-part questionnaire survey. In veterans students it can be concluded that there is a correlation between individual questions related to GPA and the Resource Management Strategies, combat experiences and PTSD symptoms, number of deployments and PTSD symptoms, combat experience, number of deployments, and PTSD symptoms. However, there is no significant correlation between the average of the Resource Management Strategies and GPA.</p>

This research investigated the experiences and practices of mental health registered nurses working within an acute mental health facility. The research explored the workplace environment and sought to gain a greater understanding of the elements that contribute to a safe and healthy workplace setting.The research methodology utilised a critical feminist framework. Thirteen women participants were involved in the research project including myself as a research participant. All participants were employed in an acute mental health facility in New South Wales. Four research methods were incorporated into the study these were focus groups, individual interviews, reflective journaling and creative expression and journaling. The study revealed a diverse range of opinion on nursing culture and profession, linking individual experience with group connectiveness, value and belonging.The findings of this research demonstrated that the women’s experience and practices as registered nurses working in mental health care were influenced directly by the management of the health service organisation and the operational leadership within the mental health facility. The data revealed five themes, these were: stress and mental health nursing practice, coping with violence, professional development, the spirit of nursing and the therapeutic relationship.Overall there were numerous links between the women’s experiences as nurses and their relationships with their colleagues, patients and the community. The results exposed professional pressures and inherent tensions within mental health nursing and highlighted an urgency to review a current health care structureThe study identified environmental factors that impacted upon the workplace and revealed a dichotomy between the nurses’ perception of care and their ability to provide it. The research raised disquiet regarding violence and aggression, inadequate career structure, recruitment, retention and education. Jutxaposed to this, the research identified collegial friendship, spirituality and stress management as contributing factors to a safe and healthy workplace. Finally, the notions of teamwork, diversity and creativity were found to be intrinsically linked to job satisfaction and client outcome.

This research investigated the experiences and practices of mental health registered nurses working within an acute mental health facility. The research explored the workplace environment and sought to gain a greater understanding of the elements that contribute to a safe and healthy workplace setting.The research methodology utilised a critical feminist framework. Thirteen women participants were involved in the research project including myself as a research participant. All participants were employed in an acute mental health facility in New South Wales. Four research methods were incorporated into the study these were focus groups, individual interviews, reflective journaling and creative expression and journaling. The study revealed a diverse range of opinion on nursing culture and profession, linking individual experience with group connectiveness, value and belonging.The findings of this research demonstrated that the women’s experience and practices as registered nurses working in mental health care were influenced directly by the management of the health service organisation and the operational leadership within the mental health facility. The data revealed five themes, these were: stress and mental health nursing practice, coping with violence, professional development, the spirit of nursing and the therapeutic relationship.Overall there were numerous links between the women’s experiences as nurses and their relationships with their colleagues, patients and the community. The results exposed professional pressures and inherent tensions within mental health nursing and highlighted an urgency to review a current health care structureThe study identified environmental factors that impacted upon the workplace and revealed a dichotomy between the nurses’ perception of care and their ability to provide it. The research raised disquiet regarding violence and aggression, inadequate career structure, recruitment, retention and education. Jutxaposed to this, the research identified collegial friendship, spirituality and stress management as contributing factors to a safe and healthy workplace. Finally, the notions of teamwork, diversity and creativity were found to be intrinsically linked to job satisfaction and client outcome.

<p> <b>Background:</b> In low- and lower-middle-income countries (LLMICs), 16% of pregnant and 20% of postpartum women experience common maternal mental health disorders, far surpassing global rates of 10% and 13%, respectively. Maternal depression is associated with poor perinatal outcomes, including maternal, newborn, and early childhood outcomes. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was recently validated in Rwanda, yet maternal depression prevalence and associated factors are unknown.</p><p> <b>Objectives:</b> The primary objectives of the study are to describe antenatal depression prevalence and its associated factors.</p><p> <b>Methods:</b> This is a secondary analysis of the Preterm Birth Initiative-Rwanda randomized controlled trial of group antenatal care (ANC) data obtained between June 2017 &ndash; June 2018. Thirty-four health centers in five districts were selected. At each health center, convenience sampling was used to ascertain EPDS scores from the first five women to present for initial ANC each calendar month. A cut-off EPDS score of &ge;13 was used to define maternal depression. Multi-level simple and multiple logistic regressions were used to explore associated factors of antenatal depression. The study obtained informed consent and was approved by the Rwanda National Ethics Committee and the University of California, San Francisco institutional review board. </p><p> <b>Results:</b> Twenty-percent of women in the antenatal period screened positive for depression. In the adjusted multi-level multiple logistic regression model, family social support, age, ability to communicate with partner, and perceived stress were significantly associated with antenatal depression.</p><p> <b>Conclusions:</b> Antenatal and postpartum depression prevalence in Rwanda exceeds LLMIC averages. The authors recommend universal depression screening and treatment for pregnant and postpartum women.</p><p>

There are many negative consequences of childhood sexual abuse, (Browne Finkelhor, 1990). These effects do not vanish with adulthood and some adults stay scarred for life. However, it has been noted that some victims of childhood sexual abuse recover better than others regardless of the particular type of abuse. Could this adaptation be related to, or represent "hardiness" of the adult? The purpose of this report is to explore the hardiness of adult victims of child sexual abuse and the adaptation strategies practiced. To achieve this goal, The Health Related Hardiness Scale, created by Susan Pollock, PhD. was adopted. Data was collected from fifteen adult females who, by their own definition were sexually abused as children. They completed the HRHS questionnaire and a demographic questionnaire. Data analysis revealed a significant p-value of 0.0002 indicating that support is an important component to "buffer" the negative effects of stress. However this study revealed a high level of hardiness overall in the participating individuals

Disparities in access to mental health care for individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders continue to exist in the United States despite the creation of mental health policies seeking to improve access to care. As an integral element of healthcare system delivery, access is influenced by spatial (location) and non-spatial (sociodemographic) factors. Highlighting both spatial and non-spatial dimensions of access to mental healthcare, this study employed an innovative approach encompassing the geography of access and the integration of location analyses to bridge the gap between psychosocial dynamics and mental health services for improving cost-effective continuity of care. The aims were as follows: (1) a comprehensive investigation of mental health service accessibility and utilization using geographic information systems (GIS), (2) an examination of the concept of access to mental health care, and (3) a secondary analysis of data involving street networking to investigate whether accessibility (travel time) and selected sociodemographic variables correlated and predicted treatment adherence among adult patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. The results from this study will inform future nursing and community interventions for outpatient follow-up care for individuals seeking mental health care services.