Catherine Pugnaire Gros

Peer Support among Inpatients in an Adult Mental Health Setting

Existing literature indicates peer support is beneficial for people with mental illnesses and plays an important role in recovery. While many studies in the mental health field have focused on formalized peer support within the community, none have explored the experience of peer support among hospitalized patients. The purpose of the current study was to explore the perceptions and experiences of naturally occurring peer support among adult mental health inpatients. In-depth interviews were conducted with ten inpatients across four mental health units, two acute and two long-term. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using a qualitative descriptive design. The data show that peer support among inpatients is extensive and beneficial, and occurs independently of staff involvement. The findings illustrate that peer support is a thoughtful process that involves observing, reflecting, taking action, and evaluating outcomes. Supportive actions include helping with activities of daily living, sharing material goods, providing information and advice, sharing a social life, and offering emotional support. This leads to various positive outcomes for providers and recipients of peer support, such as improved mental health outcomes and quality of life. Attempts to provide supportive interactions occur within a particular context, which can hinder or facilitate peer support. The new insights from this study could provide health professionals with an increased recognition of peer support and an appreciation for the unique role patients play in their own and in their peers’ recovery. These findings have important implications for establishing collaborative working partnerships with mental health inpatients.

Exploring Helpful Nursing Care in Pediatric Mental Health Settings: The Perceptions of Children with Suicide Risk Factors and Their Parents

This qualitative descriptive study explored helpful nursing care from the perspective of children with suicide-associated risk factors, and their parents. Data were collected through participant observation followed by a debriefing session with children, and semi-structured interviews with parents. The inductive analysis revealed four themes of helpful interventions: (1) caring for the child as a special person; (2) caring for the parents; (3) managing the childs illness; and (4) creating a therapeutic environment. The study findings highlight the importance of the relational aspect of nursing care and provide important insights related to family-centered and strengths-based practice with children at increased risk for suicide later in life.

Les interventions infirmières estimées bénéfiques par les adolescents à risque de suicide

Adolescents at suicide risk: nursing care they consider helpful This qualitative study explores “helpful” nursing care from the perspective of adolescents at risk for suicide. While hospital-based nurses have a high level of direct and continuous contact with suicidal teens, little is known about the nursing care offered to this population. The purpose of this research is to explore the perceptions of suicidal adolescents regarding helpful nursing care during hospital treatment on a mental health unit. Nine patients, aged 15-18 years, participated in individualized, semi-structured interviews. Results affirm the importance of personalized, human caring interactions combined with nurse accompaniment across situations of daily living as well as during acute crisis, illness and suffering. The nurse’s role and contribution in creating a therapeutic milieu is described, and the impact of a health-promoting hospital environment on patient care and recovery is highlighted. Les interventions infirmières estimées bénéfiques par les adolescents à risque de suicide 207 Santé mentale 37, 2_Santé mentale 37, 2 13-03-04 08:57 Page207

Hospital rules and regulations: The perspectives of youth receiving psychiatric care

Background Rules and regulations represent an aspect of psychiatric hospitalization about which little is known. Study Purpose To explore the perceptions of rules from the perspective of youth receiving hospital-based psychiatric services. Design Qualitative descriptive. Methods Perceptions of rules were elicited through semi-structured interviews with a convenience sample of six youth. Results Rules were perceived as governing virtually all aspects of everyday living in the hospital environment. Rules were used to structure daily activities, routines, and social interactions, and were embedded within clinical protocols and treatment plans. For each participant, “making sense” or “not making sense” were central themes through which rules were interpreted as being either therapeutic or oppressive. Rules that made “no sense” negatively affected youth mood, behavior, treatment adherence, and engagement in a collaborative relationship. Conclusion Working in partnership with youth in psychiatric care to establish, implement, and evaluate rules that “make sense” can promote positive health outcomes and prevent negative, unintended consequences.

Essential Professional Nursing Practices in mental health: A cross-sectional study of hospital inpatient care

Quality organizational structures and nursing practices are key to positive patient outcomes. Whereas structures have been largely studied over the past few decades, less is known of the nursing practices that account for patient outcomes, such as patient satisfaction. This is especially true in psychiatric, mental health care settings. The aim of the present study is to determine the relative importance of eight Essential Professional Nursing Practices (EPNPs) on the satisfaction of hospitalized patients on mental health care units. A cross-sectional design was selected; 226 point-of-care mental health nurses completed the online EPNP questionnaire in Spring 2015. Statistical analyses included MANOVAs and a 2-step linear regression. A significant relationship was found between university preparation and scores on two EPNP subscales: autonomous decision-making and practicing with competent nurses. Scores on patient advocacy and control over practice subscales were significantly related to nurse-rated patient satisfaction. The findings reinforce the positive link between university education and the work of nurses and highlight the power dynamics that are salient in mental health care. The pertinence of EPNPs in psychiatric settings is brought to the fore, with practices of patient advocacy and nurse control over care examined in relation to empowerment. Implications for clinical and administrative leaders are addressed, with a focus on strategies for empowering patients and nurses.