ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: In this study, emotional reaction of psychiatric nurses and resident physicians toward suicidal behavior of psychiatric inpatients was examined. METHODS: Subjects were 396 working in general hospitals or mental hospitals. Demographic factors, exposure to suicidal behaviors, mood states, and impact of event scores were collected between April and July 2008. Mood state was measured with Korean Edition of Profile of Mood States (K-POMS). Impact of event was measured with Impact of Event Scale-revised (IES-R). RESULTS: Of the respondents, 90.9% experienced at least one inpatient suicidal behavior. Emotional responses of respondents after their patients' suicidal behavior were shock, anxiety, self-doubt and disbelief. Mood states were negative for those who had worked over 10 years, had experienced colleagues quitting and were significantly different according to patient's diagnosis, period of maintaining emotions, and level of stress. Impact of event was high among those who were nurses, had worked in mental hospitals, had worked over 10 years, had experienced colleagues quitting and were significantly differenced according to job status, patient's diagnosis, period of maintaining emotion, and level of stress. CONCLUSION: This study confirms that suicidal behaviors of inpatients are commonly encountered and significantly stressful events for psychiatric nurses and physicians.