The effect of psychiatric nursing students' internships on their beliefs about and attitudes toward mental health problems; a single-group experimental study

Abstract

BackgroundIt is important that nursing students develop positive beliefs and attitudes toward individuals with mental health problems during nursing education in order to provide an effective nursing care and create a therapeutic environment. ObjectiveThis study was conducted to analyze the effect of psychiatric nursing internship practice and the personal characteristics and preferences of psychiatric nursing interns on their beliefs and attitudes toward mental illnesses. DesignThis is a single group experimental study with a pre-test and post-test. ParticipantsThe study sample included 33 fourth-year nursing students enrolled in the School of Health who participated in an internship in psychiatric nursing. MethodologyThe study data were collected using a student information form, the Community Attitudes Toward the Mentally Ill Scale (CAMI) and the Beliefs Toward Mental Illness Scale (BMI) at the beginning and end of the 14-week internship of 32 h per week. FindingsThe students' beliefs and attitudes toward mental health problems were found to be moderate with no significant differences between mean pre-test and post-test scores. ConclusionThe psychiatry nursing internship practice yielded minimal positive changes in students' beliefs and attitudes toward mental health problems. Initiation of the process of developing positive attitudes and beliefs in the first year of nursing education and increasing the internship period may provide more effective results.