Stigmatizing attitudes toward mental disorders among non-mental health nurses in general hospitals of China: a national survey

Abstract

BackgroundNegative attitudes of nurses toward mental disorders have been reported in various countries. Nurses’ stigmatizing attitudes can harm patients with mental disorders (PWMD), thereby delaying the provision of help to patients and leading to decreased quality of care. In this study, we aimed to assess Chinese nurses’ stigmatizing attitudes toward patients with mental illness and provide a basis for future development and testing of appropriate and culturally adapted interventions to reduce it.ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the attitudes of Non-mental Health Nurses (NMHNs) in general hospitals in China toward the stigma of PWMD and determine the factors influencing them.MethodsA cross-sectional survey of NMHNs in general hospitals were conducted. A self-designed WeChat-based questionnaire was used that included demographic information about the need for training on mental health issues. Participants were provided with a vignette of a depression case with suicidal thoughts. The Depression Stigma Scale (DSS) and Social Distance Scale (SDS) were used to assess attitudes toward mental disorders. Nine questions on the adequacy of knowledge about anxiety and depression and the current status of scale use were used to assess the current status of training needs for mental disorders. Descriptive analysis, chi-square test, and multivariate logistic regression were used for the table.ResultsA total of 8,254 nurses in non-mental health professions participated in this study. The mean DSS score of NMHNs was (17.24 ± 6.700), and the SDS score was (10.34 ± 3.154). The total detection rate of stigma among the survey respondents was 13.40% (1,107/8254). Multivariate logistic regression showed that age between 30 and 39 years [p = 0.001, OR = 1.427 (1.154–1.764)], 4 years of work experience and above [p = 0.018, OR = 1.377 (1.056–1.796)], having a bachelor’s degree [p < 0.001, OR = 0.742 (0.647–0.851)], adequate psychological knowledge [p < 0.001, OR = 1.567 (1.364–1.799)], full knowledge of communication with patients with anxiety and depression [p < 0.001, OR = 1.848 (1.389–2.459)], and the need to acquire skills to identify anxiety and depression were the influencing factors associated with stigma [p < 0.001, OR = 0.343 (0.236–0.499)].ConclusionStigmatizing attitudes toward PWMD exist among NMHNs in general hospitals in China. Thus, more mental health education programs for NMHNs are needed. Factors associated with higher morbidity stigma can be used to develop appropriate interventions to improve NMHNs’ stigmatizing attitudes and provide better quality care to PWMD.

Assess the Attitude Towards Mental Illness Among Nurses Working in Selected Tertiary Care Hospital

“…There are differences in attitudes modulated by professional category and setting (Rivas, 2021). Negative perspectives of nurses towards mental illnesses have been documented in multiple nations (Natalia, 2019;Koutra, 2022;Balasubramanian et al, 2023;Li et al, 2023). Based on available research shows that nurses' negative attitudes toward mentally ill patients and mental health care are associated with insufficient mental health knowledge, insufficient training, lack of experience, religious predisposition, and low educational level (Kigozi-Male, 2023).…”

The attitudes of nonpsychiatric nurses towards mental disorders in China

“…Compared with Western culture, Chinese people emphasize “face culture” and interpersonal relationships, so stigma against mental disorders may be more common in Chinese society ( 21 , 22 ). A recent survey in China has found that nonpsychiatric nurses working in general hospitals adopted stigmatizing attitudes towards mental disorders ( 23 ). However, the association between psychiatric clinical practice and the attitudes of nonpsychiatric nurses towards mental disorders has not been reported, so there is an urgent need to explore the association between psychiatric clinical practice and the attitudes of nonpsychiatric nurses towards mental disorders.…”