Mental Health Nurses’ Attitudes on Consumers with Dual Diagnosis: A Thematic Analysis

Abstract

Background The issue of dual diagnosis continues to be a global health concern. There is a lack of empirical research on mental health nurses’ attitudes toward consumers with dual diagnosis. Objective This study aimed to answer the following research question: How do mental health nurses describe their attitude toward consumers with co-existing mental health and drug and alcohol problems? Design This qualitative study employed purposive sampling to recruit participants. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore mental health nurses’ attitudes toward consumers with dual diagnosis. Setting This study focused on mental health nurses employed in mental health settings. It placed a particular emphasis on mental health nurses who had experience in caring for consumers with dual diagnosis. Seventeen mental health nurses participated in the interview. Methods Interviews were transcribed verbatim and coded using NVivo™ 12 Plus software. Thematic analysis was used to generate codes and themes inductively. Results Three major themes with a total of eight sub-themes were identified: (1) satisfaction and connection, with three subthemes; (2) combating negativity in others, with two subthemes; and (3) working to improve outcomes, with three subthemes. Conclusions Participants were concerned about their peers’ sense of fear and frustration, stigmatized language, and lack of consistency in providing dual diagnosis training for mental health nurses. There is a need to investigate effective strategies to address mental health nurses’ stigmatized attitudes, fear, and frustration toward consumers with dual diagnosis.