Marit F. Svindseth

Patients' experience of humiliation in the admission process to acute psychiatric wards

The objective of the study was to investigate the experiences of humiliations by patients in the admission process to acute psychiatric wards. One-hundred-and-two patients were interviewed within 48 h after hospitalization about their experiences of the admission process. The structured Admission Experience Survey questionnaire was used to identify negative events of the admission process. Perceived humiliation was defined by a cut-off on the self-reported Cantrills Ladder Scale. Six qualitative depth interviews of patients with high and low humiliation scores were performed in order to relate interview information on humiliation experiences to the self-report. Negative events during the admission process were significantly more common among patients with involuntary admission, but were also observed among those voluntary admitted. Humiliation in connection with negative events during the admission process was reported by 48 patients, 24 involuntary and 24 voluntary admitted. In univariate analyses, humiliation was significantly associated with events where the patients were exposed to verbal or physical force, as well as with the conviction that “the admission was not right”. In multivariate analyses, the latter conviction was the only significant one, although “use of physical force” also showed a trend (P=0.06). Negative events are common among the routines, procedures, and situations of the admission process to acute psychiatric wards. Some of them can hopefully be modified such as the use of verbal and physical force. In contrast, the conviction that “the admission was not right”, which showed the strongest association with humiliation, seems less modifiable in the admission process.

Narcissism in patients admitted to psychiatric acute wards: its relation to violence, suicidality and other psychopathology

BackgroundThe objective was to examine various aspects of narcissism in patients admitted to acute psychiatric wards and to compare their level of narcissism to that of an age- and gender-matched sample from the general population (NORM).MethodsThis cross-sectional study interviewed 186 eligible acute psychiatric patients with the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) and the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF). The patients filled in the Narcissistic Personality Inventory-21 item version (NPI-21), The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. High and low narcissism was defined by the median of the total NPI-21 score. An age- and gender-matched control sample from the general population also scored the NPI-21 (NORM).ResultsBeing male, involuntary admitted, having diagnosis of schizophrenia, higher self-esteem, and severe violence were significantly associated with high narcissism, and so were also low levels of suicidality, depression, anxiety and GAF scores. Severe violence and high self-esteem were significantly associated with high narcissism in multivariable analyses. The NPI-21 and its subscales showed test-retest correlations ≥0.83, while the BPRS and the HADS showed lower correlations, confirming the trait character of the NPI-21. Depression and suicidality were negatively associated with the NPI-21 total score and all its subscales, while positive association was observed with grandiosity. No significant differences were observed between patients and NORM on the NPI-21 total score or any of the NPI subscales.ConclusionNarcissism in the psychiatric patients was significantly associated with violence, suicidality and other symptoms relevant for management and treatment planning. Due to its trait character, use of the NPI-21 in acute psychiatric patients can give important clinical information. The similar level of narcissism found in patients and NORM is in need of further examination.

Psychometric examination and normative data for the Narcissistic Personality Inventory 29 item version

The Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI) is commonly used in empirical studies of narcissism. Few population-based studies have been published. Our aim was to do a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) of the NPI 29 item version with a four-factor structure, in two population-based samples and in a patient sample, and present normative population-based data. The NPI-29 was filled in by 324 respondents from the Norwegian population, 231 from the Swedish population and 167 Norwegian psychiatric patients. The four-factor structure of the NPI-29 with Leadership/Power, Exhibitionism/Self-admiration, Superiority/Arrogance and Uniqueness/Entitlement was reproduced in these samples. The CFA models showed good fit indices in all samples. Mean scores on the NPI-29 and four subscales hardly differed between the samples. For the NPI-29 total score and factors, few significant differences were observed. CFA of the samples supported the factor structure of the NPI-29 formerly identified by principal component analysis of the Swedish population sample.

Perceived humiliation during admission to a psychiatric emergency service and its relation to socio-demography and psychopathology

BackgroundThere is a lack of empirical studies of patients’ level of humiliation during the hospital admission process and its implications for the clinical setting. We wanted to explore associations between self-rated humiliation and socio-demography and psychopathology in relation to admission to a psychiatric emergency unit.MethodsConsecutively admitted patients (N = 186) were interviewed with several validated instruments. The patients self-rated humiliation by The Cantril Ladder, and 35% of the sample was defined as the high humiliation group.ResultsFinal multivariate analysis found significant associations between compulsory admission, not being in paid work, high scores on hostility, and on entitlement, and high levels of humiliation. No significant interactions were observed between these variables, and the narcissism score was not a confounder concerning humiliation.ConclusionsHigh level of humiliation during the admission process was mainly related to patient factors, but also to compulsory admission which should be avoided as much as possible protecting the self-esteem of the patients.

Differences and similarities between mothers and fathers of premature children: a qualitative study of parents’ coping experiences in a neonatal intensive care unit

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to explore and describe the coping experiences of parents to children admitted to a neonatal unit.MethodsA qualitative research approach was chosen, using in-depth interviews with eight fathers and eight mothers.ResultsThe main findings were that parents with previous complicated births had more difficulties in coping compared to those parents with no experience with complications. Coping seemed easier where parents’ opinions were heard regarding their baby’s care and when both parents were present in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The main similarities between mothers and fathers were the reluctance to speak their opinions on childcare, and both experienced a sense of alienation and problems in bonding with the baby. They also needed a limitation on the number of visitors in the NICU. Differences between mothers and fathers were that fathers tried hard to be the strong partner in the relationship, and were more concerned with the mother if she was seriously ill postpartum, while mothers were more concerned for their baby. Mothers’ postpartum period was felt as more stressful if the father was not present, but mothers were also better at welcoming support from the health personnel.ConclusionThis study highlights the parent’s coping experiences in NICUs. Coping seemed easier where parents’ opinions were heard. Nurses in the NICU should take the former experiences of the parents into consideration when nursing in the NICU and planning for discharge.

A study of outcome in patients treated at a psychiatric emergency unit

Background: Although being an important part of the psychiatric treatment chain, there are few outcome studies of treatment at psychiatric emergency units (PEU). Aims: The aim was to measure changes in psychopathology and humiliation during admission at a PEU. Methods: The sample consisted of 147 patients examined at admission and discharge. The instruments used were the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), the Narcissistic Personality Inventory-29 (NPI-29), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), a combination of questions measuring negative experiences and Cantrils ladder measuring experienced humiliation. Outcome measures were clinically significant improvement [>10% reduction of the BPRS converted (0–100) score] and changes on the other instruments. Results: Median hospitalization time was 13 days (mean 20.4 days). Fifty-six per cent of the patients showed clinical significant improvement (95% CI 48–64%), 42% showed some degree of improvement and 2% were unchanged. The more improved patients had higher scores at admission than those with less improvement on all scales, indicating a floor effect. Small changes were observed for narcissism and experienced humiliation and negative admission events. In multivariate analyses high admission scores on BPRS subscales, thinking disorder and activation and HADS total score were significantly associated with clinically significant improvement. Type and length of admission did not significantly affect the outcome. The BPRS, HADS and NPI-29 scores at discharge were mainly explained by corresponding admission scores. Conclusions: More than half the patients admitted to PEU have clinically significant reduction of psychopathology during their stay. Higher levels of psychopathology at admission were significantly associated with improvement. Negative admission experiences and involuntary admission did not influence outcome.

Is there an association between the level of grandiose narcissism severity of psychopathology

Background: Narcissism is a personality trait associated with both psychological health and resilience as well as with aggression and interpersonal problems. Aim: This study compares levels of total narcissism and subscale scores in inpatients, outpatients and a community sample. Methods: Inpatients (N = 186) were recruited from consecutively admitted patients to two closed units, and the outpatient group (N = 144) consisted of patients attending a psychiatric outpatient clinic. The patients and a normative community sample (N = 437) all filled in the Narcissistic Personality Inventory questionnaire (NPI-29). Results: The NPI total and subscales scores showed considerable gender differences. Among men only the Uniqueness/Entitlement subscale showed significant group differences, with inpatients showing higher mean score than the two other groups. Among women three factors, Leadership/Power, Superiority/Arrogance, and Uniqueness/ Entitlement, showed significant differences between the different levels of psychopathology. The outpatient female group regularly had the lowest group mean scores. The NPI-29 scores of the normative group showed weak internal consistencies. Conclusion: Our hypothesis of a significant association between mean levels of total narcissism and subscale scores and severity of psychopathology was not supported.

Opplevd krenkelse i innleggelsessituasjonen til akuttpsykiatrisk avdeling og assosiasjoner til negative hendelser samt kjønnsforskjeller Perceived humiliation in the admission process to psychiatric care and associations to negative situations and gender differences

The aim of the study is to increase knowledge and decrease humiliations in the medical encounter. Humiliations are associated with violence, inflicts on the treatment compliance, and some psychiatric diagnosis. Associations between self-rated humiliation and socio-demography and situations that occurred in the admission process to a psychiatric emergency unit were explored. We also looked for gender differences in the reporting of perceived humiliation. The patients (N = 186) self-rated humiliation on a scale from 1 to 10 (dichotomized by the mean value), and almost half of the sample was defined as humiliated. Associations between humiliation and being heard, expressed opinion, persuaded, threats, physical power, admission considered right and legal status were examined. Legal status, physical power and not heard were found to have the strongest association to humiliation. More men reported humiliation in all the examined situations compared to women. Patients admitted to psychiatry experience humiliation, and gender differences are reported. To decrease the perceived humiliation, admission routines should be individualized. In demanding situations, persuasion should be tried first. Use of police in the admission situation should be replaced by trained psychiatric personnel. Statements from patients on treatment choices and admission routines should be considered if patients are readmitted.

Validation of the Neonatal Satisfaction Survey (NSS-8) in six Norwegian neonatal intensive care units: a quantitative cross-sectional study

BackgroundThe experience of having their new-borns admitted to an intensive care unit (NICU) can be extremely distressing. Subsequent risk of post-incident-adjustment difficulties are increased for parents, siblings, and affected families. Patient and next of kin satisfaction surveys provide key indicators of quality in health care. Methodically constructed and validated survey tools are in short supply and parents’ experiences of care in Neonatal Intensive Care Units is under-researched. This paper reports a validation of the Neonatal Satisfaction Survey (NSS-8) in six Norwegian NICUs.MethodsParents’ survey returns were collected using the Neonatal Satisfaction Survey (NSS-13). Data quality and psychometric properties were systematically assessed using exploratory factor analysis, tests of internal consistency, reliability, construct, convergent and discriminant validity. Each set of hospital returns were subjected to an apostasy analysis before an overall satisfaction rate was calculated.ResultsThe survey sample of 568 parents represents 45% of total eligible population for the period of the study. Missing data accounted for 1,1% of all returns. Attrition analysis shows congruence between sample and total population. Exploratory factor analysis identified eight factors of concern to parents,“Care and Treatment”, “Doctors”, “Visits”, “Information”, “Facilities”, “Parents’ Anxiety”, “Discharge” and “Sibling Visits”. All factors showed satisfactory internal consistency, good reliability (Cronbach’s alpha ranged from 0.70–0.94). For the whole scale of 51 items α 0.95. Convergent validity using Spearman’s rank between the eight factors and question measuring overall satisfaction was significant on all factors. Discriminant validity was established for all factors. Overall satisfaction rates ranged from 86 to 90% while for each of the eight factors measures of satisfaction varied between 64 and 86%.ConclusionThe NSS-8 questionnaire is a valid and reliable scale for measuring parents’ assessment of quality of care in NICU. Statistical analysis confirms the instrument’s capacity to gauge parents’ experiences of NICU. Further research is indicated to validate the survey questionnaire in other Nordic countries and beyond.