Archives of Psychiatric Nursing

Essential Psychiatric and Substance Use Competencies for the Registered Nurse: Crucial and Complex Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Catherine F. Kane — 2012-04-01

The Essential Psychiatric Mental Health and Substance Use Competencies for the Registered Nurse (2012) appears in print publication for the first time in this issue of the Archives of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing. Members of the International Society of Psychiatric Nursing and the American Psychiatric Nurses Association have been able to view previous iterations online, and the comments and feedback received have been incorporated for the improvement of this final product. Those of us involved in the development of this document have dedicated our efforts to getting it into print so that these competencies, as we have identified them, can be distributed globally for the review of and implementation by our many colleagues in nursing and other health disciplines. Our aim has been to characterize and describe the skill and expertise in psychiatric mental health substanceuse (PMHSU) nursing that every person receiving nursing care should be able to expect from their nurse.

Essential Psychiatric, Mental Health and Substance Use Competencies for the Registered Nurse

2012-04-01

Abstract: The Essential Psychiatric, Mental Health and Substance Use Competencies for the Registered Nurse provides the framework for educational preparation of generalist professional nurses to provide appropriate and effective care for persons with mental illness, substance use disorders, and persons at risk for these conditions and who can promote the mental health of all persons in their care. The format of these Competencies draws from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s (2008) document, The Essentials of Baccalaureate Nursing Education and from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s Recommended Baccalaureate Competencies and Curricular Guidelines for Geriatric Nursing Care (2010). However, the competencies presented here apply to the preparation of professional nurses in all types of nurse education programs that prepare students to practice within the licensed parameters of the Registered Nurse. Throughout this document, the term “Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing” includes nursing care of persons with substance use disorders as well as those who have medical or surgical conditions that are accompanied by psychosocial stressors. Curricula should be designed to prepare students to demonstrate these competencies. Diploma, Associate Degree and Baccalaureate programs should seek to assure the inclusion of the described content areas and skill sets.

Predictors of Eating Attitudes and Behaviors Among Gay Hispanic Men

2011-10-13

Gay men are a vulnerable population at risk for a number of health disparities, but little is known about eating disorders among gay Hispanic men. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of eating attitudes and behaviors with alcohol abuse, body image, depression, self-esteem, and sexual behaviors to determine predictors of eating attitudes and behaviors in a community sample of gay Hispanic men. Significant numbers of the participants were at risk for eating disorders (13%), alcohol abuse (18%), body image disturbance (29%), depression (25%), low self-esteem (12%), and high-risk sexual behaviors (34%). Alcohol abuse, body image, depression, self-esteem, and sexual behaviors were significant predictors of eating attitudes and behaviors and accounted for 38% of the variance in eating attitudes and behaviors. Nurses providing care to this population of gay men must be aware of this cluster of related mental health conditions that are experienced by these men. Addressing and treating these health conditions as a group of related mental health conditions are necessary. More research is needed to further explore this cluster of health issues among gay Hispanic men.

Depressive Symptoms After a Myocardial Infarction and Self-care

Mary Kathleen Coyle — 2011-10-05

This descriptive study examined depressive symptoms impacting the performance of self-care behaviors in patients (N = 62) who have experienced a myocardial infarction (MI). Having had a prior MI is inversely associated with decreased self-care behaviors at 30 days. Depressive symptoms of agitation and loss of energy significantly impacted self-care performance 30 days after discharge from the hospital. A variance of 21% (P < .05) in patients who experienced a prior MI and exhibited depressive symptoms of agitation and loss of energy at 30 days suggests patient vulnerability after discharge and a window for therapeutic interventions.

The Family-Focused Mental Health Practice Questionnaire

Darryl Maybery, Melinda Goodyear, Andrea Reupert — 2011-11-14

It is estimated that 1 in 5 children have a parent with a mental illness, and studies have shown that such children are more likely to develop mental health problems when compared with their peers. Research has demonstrated the benefits of mental health clinician family-sensitive practice to both parents and their children; however, a measure of clinician practice is not available. The psychometric properties of a questionnaire measuring family-focused practice in the psychiatric setting are reported here. There were 307 public adult mental health worker participants, predominantly from the nursing profession and working full time. Principal component analysis highlighted 14 subscales that summarize 49 items reflecting organizational and worker factors, such as skill/knowledge about the impact of parental mental illness on children and worker confidence. Subscales are discussed in relation to the literature and psychiatric policy. The measure appears a useful tool for evaluation, benchmarking for training and organizational improvement, and ultimately, for increasing quality services to parents, families, and particularly children associated with psychiatric services.

Help-Seeking Behaviors of Turkish Patients Prior to Accessing a Psychiatric Polyclinic

Perihan Güner-Küçükkaya, Satı Ünal — 2011-11-30

Despite the high prevalence of mental illness worldwide, people often do not receive adequate care and treatment. This study determined the help-seeking behaviors, prior to attending a psychiatric outpatient clinic, among Turkish patients (N = 225) with mental illness. Prior to attending the clinic, 29.3% of patients surveyed indicated they used self-implementation techniques, 17.78% consulted someone other than a physician, and 9.3% visited special healing sites other than hospitals. More than 50% used alternative therapies rather than conventional treatment. Mental health nurses must be aware of these health-seeking behaviors when planning individualized patient care and treatment.

The Influence of Psychosomatic Symptoms, Physical and Sexual Abuse, and Coping Strategies on Delinquent Behavior Among Korean Adolescents

Hyun-Sil Kim, Hun-Soo Kim, Joan Samuels-Dennis — 2011-10-05

Purpose: This cross-sectional study was undertaken to examine the contributing factors related to juvenile delinquency, as well as to identify the effect of psychosomatic symptoms, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and coping strategies on delinquent behavior among Korean adolescents.Methods: To investigate the research problem, 2,146 adolescents, including 1,350 student adolescents and 796 delinquent adolescents, were assessed using a cross-sectional descriptive design study via anonymous, self-reporting questionnaires. Almost all research variables were measured using the Mental Health Questionnaire for Korean Adolescents.Results: Our results revealed that delinquent adolescents showed a greater incidence of psychosomatic symptoms, higher levels of physical and sexual abuse, and a higher level of less effective coping strategies compared with student adolescents. Our path analysis revealed that the likelihood of delinquent behavior among adolescents appeared to be influenced mainly by sexual abuse, Psychosomatic Symptoms I, and physical abuse, with these three variables having the highest total effect.Conclusions: This study confirms the relationships previously identified among stress, somatic complaints, and ineffective coping. In addition, we demonstrated that these relationships cover a wide spectrum, ranging from psychosomatic symptoms to behavioral problems. Further implications of the results and research limitation were discussed.

Moving to a Recovery Framework of Care: Focusing Attention on Process

Kathleen R. Delaney — 2012-04-01

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, professional organizations, and mental health service users have harnessed their collective visions to steer mental health services to a recovery framework of care. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHSA) has thrown its considerable weight toward the change with the Recovery to Practice (RTP) initiative. The RTP program awarded grants to five national behavioral health care provider associations (psychiatry, psychology, nursing, social work, and peer specialists) to promote recovery-oriented practice within their respective professional groups (). As part of the RTP grants, professional groups will produce curriculums to educate their workforces in recovery principles and practice. Thus, training materials will soon be available that provide a structure for organizing psychiatric mental health nursing practice around recovery-oriented care. As the RTP task forces build the didactics for recovery services, a fundamental process element should also be considered—one that comes into play as traditional provider–patient roles transform.

Health-Seeking Behaviors of Native American Indians With Persistent Mental Illness: Completing the Circle

Eleanor E. Yurkovich, Izetta Hopkins (Lattergrass), Stuart Rieke — 2012-01-13

Nationally, disparity exists in the delivery of mental health services to minority groups, and an imperative exists that expects culturally responsive care. The purpose of this grounded theory study was to discover health-seeking practices used by Native American Indians (NAIs) with persistent mental illness (PMI). Eighteen interviews were examined using constant comparative analysis. Health-seeking practices emerged as two central categories: health engagement strategy and avoidant strategy. This research assists mental health caregivers in approaching the NAI with PMI in a culturally responsive manner by providing a NAI's perception of health and knowledge of their health-seeking behaviors/practices.

Sixteen-Month Evaluation of Depressive Symptomatology in Older Adults

Graham J. McDougall, Stephanie Morgan, Phillip W. Vaughan — 2012-02-10

We examined the prevalence of depressive symptoms over time in a sample of community-residing older adults at baseline, 2 months, 6 months, and 14 months. The nonprobability sample (N = 222) was 90% female, 87% Caucasian, 15% Hispanic, and 12% African American with an average age of 75 years. If depressive symptoms had been measured at only one time, 19% of the sample would have scored above the cutoff versus 39% scoring above the cutoff when measured at all 4 periods. The findings provide evidence that depressive symptoms in older adults are variable and fluctuate over time. The significance of this research was the longitudinal evaluation of depressive symptoms in community-residing elders.

2012-04-01

Editorial Board

2012-04-01

Masthead

2012-04-01

Archives of Psychiatric Nursing

Essential Psychiatric and Substance Use Competencies for the Registered Nurse: Crucial and Complex Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Essential Psychiatric, Mental Health and Substance Use Competencies for the Registered Nurse

Predictors of Eating Attitudes and Behaviors Among Gay Hispanic Men

Depressive Symptoms After a Myocardial Infarction and Self-care

The Family-Focused Mental Health Practice Questionnaire

Help-Seeking Behaviors of Turkish Patients Prior to Accessing a Psychiatric Polyclinic

The Influence of Psychosomatic Symptoms, Physical and Sexual Abuse, and Coping Strategies on Delinquent Behavior Among Korean Adolescents

Moving to a Recovery Framework of Care: Focusing Attention on Process

Health-Seeking Behaviors of Native American Indians With Persistent Mental Illness: Completing the Circle

Sixteen-Month Evaluation of Depressive Symptomatology in Older Adults

Table of Contents

Editorial Board

Masthead