Neslihan Keser Özcan

The Use of Expressive Methods for Developing Empathic Skills

Empathy is one of the fundamental concepts in nursing, and it is an ability that can be learned. Various education models have been tested for improving empathic skills. Research has focused on using oral presentations, videos, modeling, practiced negotiation based on experiences, and psychodrama methods, such as role playing, as ways to improve empathy in participants. This study looked at the use of expressive arts to improve empathic skills of nursing students. The study was conducted with 48 students who were separated into five different groups. All groups lasted for two hours, and met for 12 weeks. Expressive art and psychodrama methods were used in the group studies. The Scale of Empathic Skill was administered to participants before and after the group studies. Before the group study took place, the average score for empathic skill was 127.97 (SD = 21.26). After the group study, it increased to 138.87 (SD = 20.40). The average score for empathic skill increased after the group (t = 3.996, p = .000). Results show that expressive methods are easier, more effective, and enjoyable processes in nursing training.

Reproductive health in women with serious mental illnesses

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To determine what problems female psychiatric patients have in terms of reproductive health. BACKGROUND The reproductive health problems faced by female psychiatric patients are matters that have been neglected in the areas of both psychiatry and womens health. This study aims to make a contribution from Turkey to the literature in this neglected field. DESIGN The study is descriptive and was conducted with 292 female patients treated in an acute inpatient psychiatric ward. METHODS Data were collected through face-to-face interviews and a questionnaire based on the literature and prepared by the researchers which was designed to determine the kinds of reproductive health issues the patients were experiencing. RESULTS It was found that compared with healthy women, the distinctive features of the participants in terms of sexuality were more negative; in particular, patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder were more likely to have been forced by their partners to have sex, they had suffered from rape or sexually transmitted diseases, the majority of those who had previous sexual experience had tried to use contraceptives but had been unable to continue using them, they were most likely to choose the method of withdrawal for contraception, their rates of pregnancy and abortion were high, they received less antenatal care, and they were more likely to have smoked during pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS It was found that female patients with psychiatric disorders had more negative attributes with regard to marriage, sexuality, family planning, maternal characteristics and pregnancy, compared with a corresponding healthy population. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE The results of this study may be useful for nurses in the clinical field for calling an attention and raising an awareness of the reproductive health problems of women with psychiatric disorders, taking the necessary preventive measures, and developing damage-reducing strategies.

Postpartum Depression Prevalence and Risk Factors in Turkey: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract Postpartum depression (PPD) is a common problem with adverse consequences for the mother and the infant. This study was performed to determine the prevalence of and risk factors for PPD in Turkey. In this study, 52 primary studies that were published between January 1999 and January 2015 were examined. The prevalence of PPD was determined through a meta‐analysis, and the risk factors were determined through a systematic review. The prevalence of PPD in Turkey was found to be 23.8%. Developed cities had a prevalence of 21.2%, and developing cities had a prevalence of 25%. Just as throughout the world, PPD is a common problem in Turkey. It is more prevalent in developing cities. The following factors were the strongest predictors of postpartum depression: economic status and the employment status of the spouse, planned pregnancy and having a stressor/illness during pregnancy, health problems in the newborn, previous psychiatric illness, problems with family and spouse, reduced social support, and a history of psychiatric illness in the family. HighlightsThese results give data on PPD prevalence and risk factors in Turkey.The prevalence of PPD in Turkey is affected by the level of development of the cities.Most of the studies are descriptive and cross‐sectional.The EPDS was widely used in evaluating PPD.

The relationship between attachment styles and childhood trauma: a transgenerational perspective - a controlled study of patients with psychiatric disorders.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES This study had two aims. The first aim was to compare attachment styles and traumatic childhood experiences of women with psychiatric disorders and their children to a control group. The second aim was to determine the relationship between attachment styles and traumatic childhood experiences both in mothers and their children. BACKGROUND According to attachment theories, trauma in an early relationship initiates a developmental cascade in which insecure attachments may occur. DESIGN A cross-sectional, descriptive study which, employed a case-control design, was performed between May 2013-March 2014. METHODS This study was conducted in 63 women with psychiatric disorders and their children. The control group consisted of 63 women without any psychiatric disorders and their children. Data were collected using questionnaire forms, including the Adult Attachment Style Scale and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire for both mothers and children. Descriptive statistics, a Pearson correlation and comparative statistics were used to analyse data. RESULTS The childhood trauma scores of both the women with psychiatric disorders and their children were higher than the control group scores. Compared to the control group, the mothers with psychiatric disorders and their children were found to have less secure attachment styles. It was determined that the mothers and children with insecure attachment were more likely to have been abused. CONCLUSION These results point to a relationship between trauma in childhood and attachment style. They also suggest that this relationship may undergo intergenerational transfer. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE This study contributes to the existing literature on the relationship between childhood traumas and attachment. Psychiatric nurses should focus not only on psychiatric disorders but also on the difficulties a patient faces regarding being a parent.

Domestic Violence Against Women In Turkey: A Systematic Review And Meta Analysis

AIM This study was performed to determine the prevalence of and risk factors for domestic violence against women in Turkey. BACKGROUND The data about domestic violence against women point out a serious problem all around the world along with including cultural differences. DESIGN The prevalence of domestic violence against women was determined through a meta-analysis, and the risk factors were determined through a systematic review. A systematic search of eight electronic databases was conducted. In this study, 34 primary studies that were published between January 2000 and January 2015 were examined. RESULTS The highest prevalence belonged to verbal violence followed by physical, emotional, economic, and sexual violence. Despite different questioning methods, it was determined that 22 risk factors were most commonly examined in the studies, and these risk factors were summed up under three separate categories: socio demographical characteristics, well-being related characteristics and marriage related characteristics. It is of further interest that the most commonly examined characteristics were socio demographic characteristics. CONCLUSION Just as throughout the world, domestic violence is a common problem in Turkey. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Nurses and midwives should focus not only on womens disorders but also on the difficulties the patient faces in regard to being a family. It presents valid evidence to produce policies on violence prevention.

Engellere Rağmen Cinsellik: Zihinsel Yetersizliğe Sahip Çocuklarda Cinsellik

Bu derlemede oncelikle zihinsel yetersizlige sahip olan bireylerin tanimi, tanimlamada kullanilan kavramlar, siniflandirilmasi, dunyada ve ulkemizdeki mevcut durum, bu alanda yapilan calismalardan bahsedilerek cinsellik konusunda bilgiler verilecek, ardindan da bu kisilerin cinsel yasamlarinda karsilastiklari zorluklar, bunlarin nedenleri ve saglik profesyonellerinin uzerine dusen gorevler mevcut calismalar isiginda gozden gecirilecektir. Bu derleme ile konu ile ilgili egitim ve mudahale programlarinda konunun oneminin kavranmasina katki saglamak amaclanmistir.

Prenatal and Postnatal Attachment Among Turkish Mothers Diagnosed with a Mental Health Disorder

Abstract The presence of a mental disorder in the mother is one of the key factors affecting attachment. The present study aimed to evaluate prenatal and postnatal attachment among mothers diagnosed with a mental health disorder by comparing them to a healthy group. The patient group included women who received follow-up care in a psychiatric clinic (74 pregnant and 75 postpartum), and the healthy group consisted of women who attended a follow-up polyclinic (118 pregnant and 82 postpartum). Data were collected using questionnaire forms, including the Prenatal Attachment Inventory and the Maternal Attachment Scale. Mothers diagnosed with a mental health disorder were determined to have lower attachment scores than the healthy group, both during the prenatal and postnatal periods. The literature suggests that mothers diagnosed with a mental health disorder showed low maternal attachment scores during pregnancy and/or the postnatal period. Psychiatric nurses should be involved in initiatives that may increase the prenatal and maternal attachment.