Mental health nurses' attitudes towards severe perinatal mental illness

TY - JOUR

T1 - Mental health nurses' attitudes towards severe perinatal mental illness

A1 - McConachie,Susan

A1 - Whitford,Heather

AU - McConachie,Susan

AU - Whitford,Heather

PY - 2009

Y1 - 2009

N2 - Aim. This paper reports on a study exploring the experiences and attitudes of generic mental health nurses towards care of women with severe mental illness during the perinatal period. Background. Severe mental disorder in the perinatal period is a global public health concern. However, there are concerns that mental health nurses other than dedicated perinatal mental health teams may lack knowledge, skills and experience in caring for such disorders, because of their low prevalence. Methods. Sixteen generic Registered Mental Nurses working in public adult mental health services participated in three focus groups during 2007. Findings. Participants did not perceive any difference between symptoms during perinatal and non-perinatal periods. There were mixed attitudes towards caring for women with severe mental illness in the perinatal period. Fear and anxiety was expressed by the nurses when caring or feeling responsible for the babies of clients. Lack of communication between professional groups and decreased clinical decision-making following the introduction of the Edinburgh Post Natal Depression Scale caused frustration. Confidence was displayed when working with known and trusted colleagues. Conclusion. Generic mental health nurses would benefit from more education on perinatal mental health and there may be a need for them to be supported by specialist perinatal mental health practitioners

AB - Aim. This paper reports on a study exploring the experiences and attitudes of generic mental health nurses towards care of women with severe mental illness during the perinatal period. Background. Severe mental disorder in the perinatal period is a global public health concern. However, there are concerns that mental health nurses other than dedicated perinatal mental health teams may lack knowledge, skills and experience in caring for such disorders, because of their low prevalence. Methods. Sixteen generic Registered Mental Nurses working in public adult mental health services participated in three focus groups during 2007. Findings. Participants did not perceive any difference between symptoms during perinatal and non-perinatal periods. There were mixed attitudes towards caring for women with severe mental illness in the perinatal period. Fear and anxiety was expressed by the nurses when caring or feeling responsible for the babies of clients. Lack of communication between professional groups and decreased clinical decision-making following the introduction of the Edinburgh Post Natal Depression Scale caused frustration. Confidence was displayed when working with known and trusted colleagues. Conclusion. Generic mental health nurses would benefit from more education on perinatal mental health and there may be a need for them to be supported by specialist perinatal mental health practitioners

KW - attitudes

KW - focus groups

KW - mental health nurses

KW - puerperal psychosis

KW - severe perinatal mental illness

KW - POSTNATAL DEPRESSION SCALE

KW - POSTPARTUM MOOD DISORDERS

KW - BIPOLAR DISORDER

KW - FOCUS GROUPS

KW - PROFESSIONALS

KW - PSYCHOSIS

KW - RISK

KW - PREVENTION

KW - ADMISSION

KW - PREGNANCY

U2 - 10.1111/j.1365-2648.2008.04952.x

DO - 10.1111/j.1365-2648.2008.04952.x

M1 - Article

JO - Journal of Advanced Nursing

JF - Journal of Advanced Nursing

SN - 0309-2402

IS - 4

VL - 65

SP - 867

EP - 876

ER -