Exploring Psychosocial Distress in Caregivers of Children and Youth With Special Health Care Needs.

PURPOSE: Caring for a child or youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN) can be overwhelming. Parents and caregivers may experience psychosocial distress, such as depression, frustration, and hopelessness. The purpose of the current study was to gain further insight into families' perspectives on the psychosocial impacts of caring for CYSHCN to identify gaps in health care systems and strengthen systems of support. METHOD: A qualitative descriptive design was used in 16 parents and caregivers. Colaizzi's method of analysis and semi-structured interviews were used. RESULTS: Six themes emerged from this study: (1) Stigma and Isolation, (2) Religion as a Coping Mechanism, (3) Financial Challenges, (4) Bearing the Burden, (5) Familial Denial, and (6) System-Related Concerns. CONCLUSION: Psychiatric-mental health nurses (PMHNs) are in a pivotal position to use their knowledge, skills, and experiences to guide families. PMHNs can also engage communities and enhance mental health promotion to break the stigma associated with having a CYSHCN. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, xx(xx), xx-xx.].

Therapeutic alliance in mental health care: When language issues challenge provider-patient relationships.

ABSTRACT: The field of psychiatric nursing provides unique opportunities for nurse-patient interactions. Nurses working in inpatient psychiatric settings face constant challenges that may hinder the development of meaningful nurse-patient interactions. Peplau's theory of interpersonal relations emphasized the importance of nurse-patient relationships in nursing care. Therapeutic alliance can help promote nurse-patient relationships and may help nurses and patients achieve their goals. This article presents several phases of a concept-building process that illustrates the importance of therapeutic alliance and its application in mental health care.

Implementing a Workplace Violence Simulation for Undergraduate Nursing Students: A Pilot Study.

Workplace violence (WPV) is an undesired phenomenon affecting nurses and nursing students. Nursing simulations allow students to learn and practice skills in a controlled setting. The development of the pilot study, "Mental Health Nursing Simulation on Workplace Violence," is presented. A simulated scenario using a standardized patient (SP) behaving as an agitated psychiatric patient was developed for undergraduate nursing students enrolled in a psychiatric nursing course. The simulation aimed to enhance students' knowledge about WPV, increase their confidence and ability to recognize signs of aggression, practice evidence-based interventions to de-escalate agitated patients, and evaluate the simulation. Surveys and the Mental Health Nursing Clinical Confidence Scale were used to measure the aims yielding qualitative and quantitative data. An increase in students' confidence and knowledge was obtained post-simulation. Students rated the simulation as useful. The use of a SP created an experiential learning environment for participants. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 55(10), 39-44.].

Managing Workplace Violence With Evidence-Based Interventions: A Literature Review.

Workplace violence in health care settings is an occupational issue concerning nurses and other health care professionals. Patient aggression against nurses is often the most common form of violence in clinical settings, occurring in emergency departments, inpatient psychiatric settings, and nursing homes. Physical and verbal assaults are the major forms of workplace violence encountered by nurses. Current research has identified staff, environmental, and patient risk factors as the major precursors of workplace violence initiated by patients. Nurses often experience significant physical and psychological negative consequences after an episode of workplace violence. A review of the evidence was conducted to identify current evidence-based interventions that can help nurses minimize the incidence of workplace violence. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 54(9), 31-36.].