While research is emerging, there remains an inadequate focus upon the experiences of those delivering and receiving care specifically for service users with complex emotional needs (CEN) within Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment (CRHT) settings. This study therefore utilised hermeneutic phenomenology to examine the lived experience of both those providing and receiving care within CRHT settings. Data were gathered via semi-structured interviews with 14 participants (seven mental health nurses working within CRHT settings and seven service users with CEN who have received CRHT intervention). Transcripts were analysed using van Manen's hermeneutic phenomenological reflective method. A synthesis of participant accounts revealed several areas of convergence across the two groups, thus highlighting those 'core structures' of mental health crisis care as lived by participants in these encounters. Fears arising from structural vulnerabilities were illuminated as the eidos (or the 'essence') of the crisis encounter in CRHT settings, and at the heart of the crisis encounter, a central phenomenon of reciprocal insecurity is illuminated, whereby both parties' attempts to achieve a sense of personal safety inadvertently threatens that of the other. Findings highlight an urgent need for hermeneutic mediators; structures that provide the space and containment necessary for both parties to feel safe.

People with long-term psychiatric disorders often display complex behaviours that cannot be fully explained by existing categories in diagnostic classification systems. As a result, translating such symptom profiles into truly person-centred and recovery-oriented care remains a challenge. This article explores how symptom-focused observation through transdiagnostic dimensions can be integrated within person-centred psychiatric nursing, and oriented toward meaning-making and recovery. A narrative literature approach was used, based on an analysis of theoretical frameworks such as the Research Domain Criteria and practical insights from psychiatric nursing. Structuring behaviour along symptom dimensions such as affect regulation or social cognition provides tools for understanding so-called 'challenging behaviour'. Nurses play a key role in this process, as they interpret symptoms based on individual context, values and needs. Symptom-based approaches only become meaningful when linked to idiographic interpretation. This enhances a recovery-oriented and relational model of person-centred care. Observation instruments such as the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire may support nurses in interpreting symptoms, provided they are embedded within relational attunement. Nurses should be recognised as key actors in translating symptom profiles into person-centred interventions within multidisciplinary teams. The analysis is theoretical in nature; practical application requires further empirical validation.

This study aimed to evaluate the ability of three generative artificial intelligence tools (ChatGPT, Gemini and DeepSeek) to generate clinically accurate, comprehensive, and readable nursing care plans aligned with standardised nursing taxonomies (North American Nursing Diagnosis Association International, Nursing Interventions Classification, and Nursing Outcomes Classification). The study further explored variations in tool performance across different nursing specialties. A descriptive comparative design was used. Ten expert-validated clinical scenarios representing five nursing specialties (Fundamentals of Nursing, Medical, Surgical, Paediatric and Psychiatric Nursing) were presented to the three artificial intelligence tools. Each tool responded to four standardised prompts based on the latest North American Nursing Diagnosis Association International, Nursing Interventions Classification and Nursing Outcomes Classification taxonomies. Outputs were assessed for quality, accuracy, completeness and readability by expert evaluators using validated scales. All tools produced nursing care plans of moderate-to-high quality. DeepSeek demonstrated slightly higher accuracy and completeness compared with Gemini and ChatGPT. Surgical nursing scenarios yielded the highest performance, likely reflecting the more protocolised and pathway-driven nature of perioperative care. However, all outputs were incomplete and written at a college-level readability, limiting accessibility for clinical use. Generative artificial intelligence tools can support the production of structured nursing care plans requiring expert review and adaptation, particularly in less standardised clinical domains, but their limitations in completeness and readability indicate they should be regarded only as preliminary drafts requiring expert review and adaptation. The study examined whether generative artificial intelligence can reliably assist in creating nursing care plans. All tools performed moderately well, with DeepSeek showing slight advantages, but outputs were incomplete and difficult to read. Findings are relevant to clinical nurses, educators, healthcare managers and policymakers worldwide who are exploring artificial intelligence in nursing workflows. This study adhered to the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines. This study did not include patient or public involvement in its design, conduct or reporting.

Aim: To examine the relationship between the ethical attitudes of psychiatric nurses and their knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding physical restraintMethod: This study has employed a descriptive cross-sectional design. The researchers recruited 146 nurses who work in psychiatric units. Convenience sampling method was used to collect data. "Sociodemographic Questionnaire," "The Scale of Nurses' Knowledge Level, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Physical Restraint," and "The Ethical Attitude Scale for Nursing Care." used as a measurement.Results: The nurses' mean scores of knowledge, attitude, practices regarding physical restraint, and ethical attitudes were [7.09±1], [30.1±3], [38.3±2] and [156.1±13], respectively. The ethical attitudes of nurses and practices regarding physical restraint scores were found to be positively correlated. It was further found that the ethical attitudes of nurses contributed 9.1% to predicting their practices regarding physical restraint.Conclusion: This study is essential to understand how ethical attitudes affect physical restraint practices among psychiatric nurses. Healthcare institutions can work towards enhancing the ethical attitudes of psychiatric nurses by addressing barriers, providing targeted education, and promoting a supportive ethical environment.

Previous research has found that violence towards family caregivers caring for schizophrenia patients is common due to patient-family caregiver interactions. This study aimed to investigate family caregivers' experiences of patient-initiated violence in schizophrenia and the perceived reasons for such violence. The study was conducted using the phenomenological method, one of the qualitative research methods. The data was collected through individual in-depth interviews. The data collection ended with 12 participants. The data was analyzed using inductive qualitative content analysis to create themes and categories within the research. The confirmability, transferability, credibility and consistency of the study were checked. The findings revealed that family caregivers' experiences of patient-initiated violence were organized into four main themes: (1) limited illness insight and misattributions, (2) clinical symptoms and treatment non-adherence, (3) psychosocial vulnerability of the patient, and (4) family dynamics and interpersonal conflict. Caregivers often reported difficulty in identifying the causes of violence and, in some cases, attributed it to metaphysical beliefs such as the influence of jinn. Clinical factors, particularly non-adherence to treatment, hallucinations, and delusions, were perceived as major contributors to violent behavior. In addition, psychosocial vulnerabilities, including feelings of being misunderstood, loneliness, and imbalance in social life, were identified as triggers of aggression. Family-related factors, such as forcing treatment and interpersonal conflicts, were also reported to precipitate violent incidents. Overall, the findings indicate that caregivers interpret violence through a combination of clinical, cultural, and relational frameworks. This study provides comprehensive multidimensional insights into the causes, consequences and prevention of patient-related violence experienced by psychiatric nurses. The descriptions of nurses' experiences of violence illustrate the severity of violence and its negative impact on nursing care. Patient-related violence can be minimized if psychiatric nurses receive psychological support to cope with the emotions caused by the violence, focus on and address the facility's deficiencies and are trained in therapeutic interventions.

Psychiatric and mental health services have been increasingly scrutinized for sustaining coercive and epistemically unjust practices. Allyship, conceptualized as a commitment to power redistribution, has emerged as a strategy to address such injustices. The aim of this study is to map the literature and current state of knowledge regarding allyship in psychiatry and mental health. A scoping review was carried out. Tirthy-four (n = 34) reports were subjected to a descriptive and thematic analysis. The analysis of the literature identifies four interrelated and complementary themes characterizing allyship: (1) the scope of allyship in mental health, (2) its general principles, (3) the qualities expressed by allies and (4) their repertoire of actions. Reviewed studies depict allies as reflexive agents aware of their privilege and advocating for patients. However, findings reveal ethical tensions between performative and effective allyship, with risks of reinforcing paternalistic structures rather than dismantling them. The results highlight the ethical responsibility of psychiatric and mental health professionals to resist mere symbolic or performative allyship. This synthesis underscores the ethical imperative to anchor allyship in principles of social justice, epistemic humility, and mutual emancipation. Allyship has been the subject of significant debate in psychiatric nursing. The results of this review inform nursing practice by identifying the principles, qualities, and defining actions of individuals who seek to become and act as allies. The findings presented also outline avenues for action aimed at adapting educational curricula to incorporate key dimensions of allyship, including the recognition of privilege, the redistribution of power, and epistemic humility. Finally, this scoping review serves as a caution against the uncritical use of the ally concept, to avoid the erasure of its political foundations.

BackgroundPsychiatric inpatients in China may experience threats to dignity and self-expression within ward environments shaped by stigma, safety concerns, and institutional routines. However, how they navigate these challenges and restore dignity through everyday interactions during hospitalization remains underexplored in psychiatric nursing.AimTo develop a substantive theoretical framework explaining how Chinese psychiatric inpatients experience dignity challenges and navigate pathways toward dignity empowerment and restoration during hospitalization, and what role therapeutic relationships with mental health nurses play in facilitating this process.Research designConstructivist grounded theory following the Charmaz tradition, informed by relational autonomy theory.Participants and research context11 psychiatric inpatients were recruited from the psychiatric ward of a tertiary general hospital in China between March and June 2025, using maximum variation purposive sampling to ensure demographic diversity.Ethical considerationsEthical approval was obtained from the Ethics Committee of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine (Reference 2025-2245-01).FindingsThe theoretical model "Finding Voice in Vulnerability" suggests that psychiatric inpatients may navigate dignity challenges through four interconnected relational processes: Cognitive Liberation and Conceptual Reconstruction, Relational Dignity Empowerment, Relational Reconstruction of Valued Identity, and Participatory Treatment Negotiation. The model further suggests that vulnerability may become a relational resource through dignity-affirming interactions that support autonomy and participation in treatment decisions.ConclusionsDignity empowerment may emerge through relational recognition rather than individual autonomy, suggesting a potential reorientation toward relationally informed psychiatric care. The findings suggest that everyday nursing interactions may be important contexts for empowerment, with implications for relational competency training and future longitudinal research across diverse psychiatric settings.

Social phobia is a mental health condition often misunderstood as shyness and mostly undiagnosed. This condition significantly affects the academic performance, practical skills, and psychological well-being of individuals, resulting in reduced contribution to society and the nation's economy. The aim of this lived experience narrative is to present the experience of social phobia within nursing education and emphasize the implications for mental health nursing practice. This is a first-person narrative to describe the personal experience with social phobia and its impact on personal, professional, and social life. This reflects the presentation of signs and symptoms, delayed diagnosis, therapeutic experience, pharmacological management, and adaptation related to the nursing education context. Social phobia is not a barrier to achievements, but it increases the psychological cost of performance. Early recognition and treatment can significantly improve the lives of individuals. Mental health nurses have an important role in providing compassionate care and support to individuals with social phobia to help them recover.

Nurses play a pivotal role in disaster response processes; to manage these processes effectively, they require not only technical skills but also robust psychological resilience. Elucidating the relationship between psychological resilience and disaster preparedness is crucial for strengthening the preparedness of psychiatric nurses. This study was conducted to determine the predictive role of psychological resilience on disaster preparedness among psychiatric nurses. This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted with 140 psychiatric nurses. Data were collected using a "Personal Information Form," the "Psychological Preparedness for Disaster Threat Scale," and the "Brief Resilience Scale." Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analysis, simple linear regression, independent samples t-test, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were employed for data analysis. The mean disaster preparedness score of the participants was 62.77 ± 13.79. Psychological resilience was a positive and significant predictor of disaster preparedness (β = 0.272, p = 0.001), explaining 6.7% of the variance. Disaster preparedness scores were significantly higher among nurses who had received formal disaster training (p = 0.003) and among those with five years or more of professional experience (p = 0.028). Nurses working exclusively on night shifts had lower disaster preparedness scores than those working day shifts or rotating shifts (p = 0.024); however, this finding should be interpreted cautiously due to the very small number of participants in the night-shift-only group. Although psychological resilience is a significant internal resource associated with nurses' disaster preparedness, it is not solely sufficient. Healthcare institutions should integrate psychological empowerment programs with applied and simulation-based disaster training and ensure that such training is accessible to all personnel regardless of shift schedules. Further studies with larger and more balanced shift groups are needed to clarify the role of shift schedules in disaster preparedness. Not applicable.

Psychiatric nurses are essential to the provision of mental health care, but they are especially prone to workplace stressors, causing an escalating retention crisis worldwide and negatively affecting their mental health. A descriptive cross-sectional correlational research design was conducted among psychiatric nurses working in Port Said and New Damietta Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Hospitals, Egypt. A convenience sample of 265 nurses was recruited. Data were collected using three standardised tools: the Fortitude Questionnaire (20 items, four-point Likert scale ranging from does not apply to applies very strongly), the Ruminative Response Scale (10 items comprising two subscales: brooding and reflection; responses rated on a four-point Likert scale from 1 = 'never' to 4 = 'always'), and the Turnover Intention Scale (3 items rated on a five-point Likert scale from 1 = 'strongly disagree' to 5 = 'strongly agree'). Data were collected over a three-month period from July to September 2025. Findings revealed that cognitive rumination was positively correlated with turnover intention and negatively correlated with psychological fortitude. Regression analysis indicated that both cognitive rumination and psychological fortitude significantly predicted turnover intention. Regarding demographic variables, significant differences were observed in cognitive rumination, psychological fortitude, and turnover intention based on personal characteristics. Specifically, nurses living in rural areas reported higher cognitive rumination and turnover intention, and lower psychological fortitude compared to those living in urban areas (p < 0.05). In addition, sex, age, education level, and years of experience were also significantly associated with the study variables. This study addresses a critical gap in the literature on psychiatric nurses in Egypt by highlighting the significant interplay between cognitive rumination, psychological fortitude, and turnover intention. The findings suggest that higher levels of maladaptive cognitive rumination are associated with lower psychological fortitude, whereas greater psychological fortitude is associated with reduced turnover intention. These results underscore the importance of psychological resilience-building interventions to reduce turnover risk among psychiatric nurses. The results have particular relevance for mental health nursing, where psychiatric nurses face emotionally intense, trauma-related, and cognitively demanding work. Psychological fortitude emerges as a key protective factor, mitigating intrusive rumination and decreasing departure inclination. Strengthening fortitude among psychiatric nurses is therefore vital for workforce retention, enhancing well-being, and sustaining high-quality care in mental health settings.

ABSTRACT A wide range of professionals with diverse training and disciplinary orientations are considered mental health professionals. This can result in an ambiguous professional identity, role confusion, and professional tensions. Recent studies explore the implications of role confusion and professional tensions on mental health service delivery. However, there is a dearth of research on how systemic factors, such as laws and policies, influence professional identity and contribute to role confusion and professional tensions. The present study uses qualitative document analysis to examine the historical evolution of mental health professionals in India’s laws and policies. The findings illustrate significant ambiguities around the concept of mental health professionals. This ambiguity, alongside the thrust for a biomedical approach in mental health care, has historically divided psychiatrists and other mental health professionals, such as psychologists, social workers, and psychiatric nurses. The paper discusses its implications for professional training and practice. Further, recommendations are given to address these issues and foster a collaborative, inclusive, and well-regulated mental health workforce.

Nurses are at high risk for mental health problems, including anxiety and depression, as well as burnout symptoms. The COVID-19 pandemic intensified these challenges, yet little is known about its long-term impact. To assess the prevalence of burnout symptoms, anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation among nurses in Northern France 2 years after the pandemic began, and to identify their risk and protective factors. The COSMIN study is a multicentre cross-sectional survey conducted in eight public hospitals in Hauts-de-France. Data were collected via an anonymous online questionnaire (May-October 2022), using validated scales (Copenhagen Burnout Inventory, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory). Logistic regression identified associated factors. Among 632 respondents, 25% had at least one clinically significant mental health problem: 16.5% anxiety, 2.5% depression, 13.9% burnout and 4.4% suicidal ideation. Burnout included professional (13.0%), personal (8.7%) and relational (5.1%) forms. Despite a decline from earlier phases, vigilance-level symptoms remained common. History of mental health problems increased risk, while institutional supports, especially multidisciplinary meetings, were protective. Personal impacts included increased conflict and breakups. Mental health symptoms remain prevalent among nurses post-pandemic. Supportive measures appear beneficial. Reinforcing institutional support and mental health resources is essential to address ongoing distress and protect care quality. This study highlights the enduring psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on nurses, revealing high rates of burnout, anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation 2 years after the crisis began. It underscores the critical role of institutional support-such as multidisciplinary meetings and supervision-in protecting staff well-being. These findings are directly relevant to mental health nursing by informing strategies to support nurses' psychological health, improve working conditions, and maintain the quality of patient care. The results advocate for the integration of structured mental health support within nursing practice and organizational policies in post-crisis healthcare settings.

Retraction Note: The effect of balint practice on reducing stress, anxiety and depression levels of psychiatric nurses and improving empathy level

Background: Culturally and Racially Marginalised (CaRM) communities in Australia encounter subtle and covert forms of prejudice, commonly referred to as "new racism". Within healthcare settings, these experiences can shape trust, engagement, and patterns of help-seeking. Mental health nurses are often the first point of contact in care delivery, and their ability to recognise, respond to, and mitigate the impacts of new racism is critical for fostering therapeutic relationships and supporting equitable access. Understanding how CaRM communities perceive the conditions that influence their mental health service use is fundamental for informing more equitable and culturally responsive care. Objective: This study explored the viewpoints of CaRM community members regarding the factors they consider important for addressing new racism in healthcare systems and supporting engagement with mental health services. Design: Q methodology was used to identify statistically derived viewpoints that reflect shared viewpoints about the conditions perceived as critical for addressing the impacts of new racism on mental health service use. Setting: Participants were recruited from culturally and linguistically diverse communities across Australia through community settings, social media, and professional networks. Participants: Thirty-five individuals from CaRM backgrounds completed the Q-sort. Methods: This Q methodology consisted of five steps: (1) set up of the Q-sorting instrument, (2) selection of participants, (3) data collection, (4) factor analysis, and (5) factor interpretation. Results: Three distinct viewpoints were identified: (1) raising awareness of mental health issues within CaRM communities (community-focused), (2) providing visible anti-racism and culturally safe services (service-focused), and (3) recognising and formally addressing new racism within healthcare systems (policy-focused). Conclusions: This study offers the first empirically derived, community-informed set of viewpoints on addressing new racism in Australian mental healthcare. While exploratory, the findings highlight multi-level considerations that are potentially relevant to mental health nursing practice, and may be useful to inform future research, policy development, and service redesign aimed at strengthening cultural responsiveness and equity in mental health systems.

This mixed-methods study evaluated the effectiveness of a patient-as-teacher learning model in undergraduate mental health nursing using a pre-/post-test design. Pre- to post-test stigma decreased in the intervention group (n = 42), notably in disclosure and help-seeking; there was no change in the control group (n = 41). Empathy increased substantially in both groups, with the largest gains in empathic concern; a marginally larger within-group effect was seen in the intervention group. Qualitative analysis identified 3 themes: deconstructing stigma and reshaping perspectives, integrating knowledge and practice, and cultivating self-reflection and caring attitudes. The patient-as-teacher model appears to support stigma reduction and empathy development.

Suicide is a major public health concern worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) such as Iran. An adolescent's suicide attempt can significantly intensify parental psychological distress, thereby heightening their susceptibility to subsequent mental health difficulties. We sought to explore the needs of parents whose adolescents have a history of suicide attempts within the unique cultural context of Iran. A descriptive qualitative study was conducted. Our sampling strategy was purposive. Recruited participants were parents of adolescents with a documented history of suicide attempts admitted to psychiatric emergency wards. Conventional content analysis of 24 semi-structured interviews with 15 mothers and 9 fathers of adolescents with experience of suicide attempts was undertaken. Interviews continued until data saturation was achieved. The first category consisted of three subcategories,1) prevention methods, 2) crisis management, and 3) care strategies for the adolescent surviving a suicide attempt. The second category also included subcategories related to (1) seeking help from mental health professionals and (2) the need for cultural and societal remediation. The needs of parents of adolescents who have attempted suicide were found to encompass informational, psychological, social, and cultural dimensions. Consequently, the results of this study directly inform key stakeholders, policymakers, healthcare administrators, and professionals within the health system. Specifically, these findings empower psychiatric nurses, psychologists, and psychiatrists to comprehensively address parents' informational gaps and strategically support their psychological, cultural, and social well-being more comprehensively.

Research has explored how undergraduate nursing students or Registered Nurses acquire and assess competences through simulations or training programs. However, there is limited evidence regarding Mental Health Nurses (MHNs) in regular clinical practice. This review aims to identify the clinical competences-knowledge, skills, or attitudes-of MHNs in their clinical practice, and how these are evaluated. A scoping review was conducted across four databases (PubMed, CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycInfo) adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) extension guidelines, applying a double screening process. Twenty-three studies were selected, focusing on nursing competency acquisition programs and assessments tools. The quality of the included studies was deemed acceptable. The findings indicated that educational programs improved professional competences. Among the assessment tools identified, sixty-six were validated while thirty-four were researcher-developed. Most tools targeted core MHN competences, such as physical health (Physical Health Attitude Scale for Mental Health Nurses) and psychiatric emergencies (Attitudes towards Containment Measures Questionnaire). Fewer tools addressed crosscutting competences (Clinical Competency of Mental Health Nursing). There is a clear need to develop tools specifically designed to assess mental health nursing within Specialized Health Training Programs. To strengthen competency acquisition and evaluation, it is recommended that complementary methods, such as simulations, feedback, and targeted tools, be integrated into MHN training and assessment.

ABSTRACTBackgroundAdolescent depression is a major public health issue in Thailand, with post‐pandemic rates at 27%–37%. While perceived stress, coping, and social support are linked to depressive symptoms, their combined predictive contributions during the COVID‐19 pandemic‐to‐endemic transition are underexplored among Southeast Asian adolescents.PurposeThis study examined the effects of perceived stress, approach coping, avoidance coping, and social support on depressive symptoms among Thai adolescents during this transition. Methodology: A predictive cross‐sectional design was used with 605 Thai high school students via multistage sampling from two central Thailand schools (September 2023–March 2024). Measures included the CES‐D, Perceived Stress Scale, Self‐Report Coping Measure, and revised Thai Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Hierarchical multiple regression assessed the variance explained by each predictor.ResultsDepressive symptoms were found in 27.8% of participants. Perceived stress was the strongest predictor (β = 0.664, p < 0.001), accounting for 54.3% of the variance. Avoidance coping was a significant secondary predictor (β = 0.133, p < 0.001; ΔR2 = 0.012). Approach coping and social support did not reach independent significance in the final model after perceived stress and avoidance coping were accounted for.ConclusionsPerceived stress and avoidance coping are key modifiable predictors of adolescent depression during Thailand's pandemic‐to‐endemic transition. School‐based psychiatric nurses should integrate stress screening, adaptive coping skills training, and family‐inclusive psychoeducation to address the mental health burden among Thai youth.

This article addresses the significance of group-based follow-up for a group of young survivors (n = 20) from Tromsø after the 22 July 2011 terror attack on Utøya in Norway, where 69 people were killed. The group was started at the request of the survivors and took place for two hours every other week, totaling 64 gatherings, during the period 2011-2014. It was led by two experienced psychiatric nurses and consisted of one part where the leaders introduced psychoeducational topics and another part with free reflection focusing on the emotional challenges the participants wanted to discuss. The informants (13) were gathered for focus group interviews in 2023, 12 years after the terror event. The interviews were recorded on video, transcribed, and the analysis was conducted as an interpretive, thematic qualitative analysis, inspired by principles from Grounded Theory. All the informants were given the option to review the draft of this text. The participants expressed that they greatly benefited from the group sessions and that the sense of community within the group was the most important aspect, still representing a central belonging in their lives. They emphasized that knowing others who understood the traumatic events and experiences made it possible, over time, to endure and process memories well enough to move forward in life in a positive way. A clear finding was the importance of starting early and maintaining a "watchful waiting" approach for as long as required for the traumatic experiences to be processed. At the time of the follow-up study, this process was still ongoing for all participants, even though the greatest need for help had passed when the groups were discontinued after three years in 2014. The participants were generally very positive to the group sessions. They experienced that the group fostered a sense of community and belonging. It was a crucial element of these gatherings that professionals took responsibility for establishing and leading the group, while also emphasizing factors such as psychoeducation, normalization, humor, activity, and solidarity. Over time, it is important to work towards survivors generating a sense of belonging and agency that can help them face future challenges.

Trauma-informed care (TIC) is widely recognised in psychiatric practice, yet the trauma specialist nurse role remains undefined in Israel. This study aimed to examine mental health nurses' attitudes and perceptions of the trauma specialist nurse role and to identify predictors of support for its implementation. This study utilised a cross-sectional research design. This cross-sectional study included 152 mental health nurses from inpatient, forensic, rehabilitation, and community settings. Data were collected using an adapted questionnaire based on the Attitudes Related to TIC Scale. Professional authority and responsibility (β = 0.643, p < 0.001) and TIC attitudes (β = 0.423, p < 0.001) were the strongest predictors of mental health nurses' perception of the trauma specialist nurse role, while trauma-related knowledge and skills showed only a marginal association (β = 0.059, p = 0.055). The model explained 78% of the variance. Mental health nurses' perception of the trauma specialist nurse role is more strongly associated with TIC attitudes and clear professional authority than with knowledge alone, highlighting the need for formal role definition and leadership support. STROBE is the relevant reporting method that has been adhered to.