General nurses’ attitudes to patients who self-harm

Abstract

This article describes the prevalence of suicidal behaviour, both nationally and in relation to one inner city district general hospital. The authors discuss what is currently known about risk assessment for identifying those patients likely to repeat the act in the near future. They also examine the findings of a recent survey about nurses' perceptions and attitudes to patients who take deliberate drug overdoses. The survey found that nurses possessed some of the facts about risk factors relating to future parasuicidal intent and displayed generally professional attitudes to the treatment of these patients in general medical wards and A&E, but they appeared to show negative personal reactions after caring for patients who self-harm.

Factors Influencing Perceived Effectiveness in Dealing with Self-harming Patients in a Sample of Emergency Department Staff

“…As knowledge and confidence increased for staff, so too did perceived effectiveness in dealing with self-harming patients. This finding is consistent with international literature (23,34,35). There was also a significant negative relationship between knowledge of self-harm and suicidal behavior and feelings of negativity towards selfharming patients.…”

“…The emergence of ''knowledge'' as a principle predictor of perceived effectiveness is consistent with international literature, as is the relationship between ''confidence'' and ''effectiveness'' (23,34,35).…”

Predictors of A&E staff attitudes to self-harm patients who use self-laceration: Influence of previous training and experience

“…Studies of DSH have shown that multi-professional staff often regard this group as more bdifficult to treat Q and more challenging than other patients [14]. For example, in a survey of 107 nurses, Sidley and Renton [15] reported that 55% of the staff disliked working with DSH patients. Staff attitudes are often reflected in the opinions from DSH patients themselves.…”

Descriptions Of Self-Mutilation Among Finnish Adolescents: A Qualitative Descriptive Inquiry

“…Furthermore, the Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC) defines a good outcome of nursing care as meaning that a self-mutilating person can refrain from self-mutilation (Johnson, Maas, & Iowa Outcomes Project, 1997). Previous nursing research has focused on the experiences of selfharming adult female inpatients (Lindgren, Wilstrand, Gilje, & Olofsson, 2004;Weber, 2002), and on nurses' attitudes towards self-harming adult patients and clients (McAllister et al, 2002;Sidley & Renton, 1996). Furthermore, untested nursing interventions have been described (Aanderaa & Meling, 2004;Brodtkorb, 2001;Crowe & Bunclark, 2000;Pawlicki & Gaumer, 1993;Sharkey, 2003).…”