Healing Hands, Understanding Minds: A Study on Nurses Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Psychological Problems
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52783/jns.v14.1892Keywords:
Knowledge, Attitude, Psychosocial problems, staff nursesAbstract
Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate mental health nurses' knowledge, attitudes, and experiences in providing physical healthcare to patients with mental illnesses, as well as the effectiveness of treatments designed to improve these aspects of their work. It also assessed nurses' attitudes and understanding of psychological difficulties in general hospital settings.
Objectives: The study aims to assess the knowledge and attitude of staff nurses at SRM MCH & RC regarding psychological problems, correlate their knowledge and attitude, and examine the association between these factors and selected demographic variables.
Methods: A quantitative research approach with a descriptive design was used for the study, conducted among 60 staff nurses at SRM MCH & RC. The setting was chosen based on study viability, subject availability, and authority clearance. Convenient sampling was employed.
Results: In this study, 66.67% of staff nurses demonstrated sufficient knowledge about psychiatric issues, while 33.33% had moderately sufficient knowledge. Regarding attitudes, 63.33% showed a positive attitude, and 36.67% had a somewhat positive attitude towards mental health. The average practice score was 113.23 ± 20.64, and the average knowledge score was 18.03 ± 2.24. A statistically significant moderate positive correlation (r = 0.589, p < 0.001) was found between knowledge and practice, suggesting that better knowledge of psychological problems led to improved practices. Additionally, previous exposure to mentally ill patients (χ² = 3.962, p = 0.047) was significantly correlated with nurses’ awareness, while no other demographic variables showed significant associations with knowledge levels. Conclusion. The assessment reveals a mixed understanding among staff nurses regarding psychological issues, with strengths in symptom recognition and basic interventions but gaps in advanced therapeutic techniques and holistic care. Targeted education and initiatives to foster empathy can enhance both knowledge and attitudes, improving care quality for patients with psychological problems.
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