This study investigates the impact of caring for patients who self-harm on mental health nurses. Through a systematic review of existing literature, the study elucidates the multifaceted challenges faced by mental health nurses in this role and explores their emotional, psychological, and professional implications. Findings underscore the urgent need for comprehensive support systems, tailored training programs, and interdisciplinary collaboration to mitigate the negative effects on mental health nurses' well-being and enhance the quality of care provided. A PICO search strategy was conducted in some academic databases and the systematic review yielded (N=13) peer-reviewed articles found credible to be included in this research that examined the impact on mental health nurses caring for patients susceptible to deliberate self-harm. The study found barriers to effective performance among mental health nurses to include anxiety, negative emotions, insufficient knowledge, poor training, and lack of necessary competencies and skill sets to manage patients prone to self-harm. Factors that facilitate performance were also found to include good education, proper remuneration, a supportive working environment etc. With regards to dealing with emotional challenges associated with their practice, mental health nurses as found in the study are expected to show empathy and build positive therapeutic relationships with their patients while also keeping and maintaining the ethics of the profession. In doing this, they would be able to observe and recognise easily extreme behaviours of these patients. This therefore entails regular psychosocial stress life analysis to mitigate the burden of providing care to self-harm patients.
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Okojie, Honesty
Rights Holders: Okojie, Honesty Supervisors: Greenway, Kathleen
Oxford School of Nursing and Midwifery
MSc Nursing (Mental Health)
2024
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