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Original Article | Open Access | | doi: 10.34104/ejmhs.022.091099

Exploring the Impact of Psychiatric Nursing Placement on Under-graduate Nursing Students Attitudes toward Mental Illness

Endurance Avah Zacchaeus Lawrence Ayah Iruo

Abstract

ABSTRACT

This study examined the impact of psychiatric nursing placement on student nurses' attitudes toward mental illness. A within group pre-post test quasi-experimental design was employed using 112 fourth year undergraduate nursing students of a Nigerian University undergoing psychiatric nursing posting at a psychiatric hospital, recruited through convenience sampling. The Attitude to Mental Illness Questionnaire (AMIQ) was administered at the beginning and end of the 8 weeks posting. Paired samples t-test analysis showed a significant reduction in the belief that mental illness could damage ones career, t(111) = -5.44, p<.001; increased comfort about being in presence of a mentally ill colleague at work, t(111) = 6.55, p<.001; increased ease inviting someone with mental health problems to a dinner party, t(111) = 6.11, p<.001, and decreased belief about someone with mental health problems leaving spouse, t(111) = -2.50, p<.001. The results revealed a significant change in the belief that someone with mental health problems could get into trouble with the law, t(111) = -1.43, p<.001. On the influence of gender, the independent samples t-test results showed that there was no difference in the belief of both gender that mental illness could damage ones career, t(112) = .43, p>.05; feeling comfortable with a mentally ill colleague, t(112) = 1.53, p>.05; feeling comfortable with someone having mental health problems in a dinner party, t(112) = 1.12, p>.05; belief in the likelihood of someone with mental health problems leaving spouse, t(112) = .86, p>.05, and the likelihood of getting into trouble with the law, t(112) = -.84, p>.05. The implication of these findings on nursing education was discussed. 

Keywords: Psychiatric posting, Nursing students, Attitude, Exploring, Mental illness, and Impact.

Citation: Zacchaeus EA., and Iruo LA. (2022). Exploring the impact of psychiatric nursing placement on undergraduate nursing students' attitudes toward mental illness. Eur. J. Med. Health Sci., 4(3), 91-99. 

https://doi.org/10.34104/ejmhs.022.091099


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June 9, 2022

Article DOI: 10.34104/ejmhs.022.091099

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