https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/55060 2026-04-16T07:30:46Z 2026-04-16T07:30:46Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/56015 2023-06-30T11:08:04Z 2009-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: The nurses' perceptions regarding the causes of the revolving door syndrome Abstract: The aim of this research study was to identify what nurses working in acute admission wards of a mental health hospital in Malta perceived the causes of the 'Revolving Door Syndrome' to be. A convenience sample of eight nurses, working in acute admission wards where these revolving door patients are most likely to be encountered, participated in this study. The objectives of this study were to identify the causes of the revolving door syndrome, any implications on the mental health care delivered whilst exploring the feelings and emotions triggered off by this phenomenon and identifying what in the nurses' opinion could be done to ameliorate the revolving door syndrome. Overall the findings in this study generally agreed with other studies carried out abroad. Common reasons identified were non-compliance to treatment when a patient stops taking the treatment prescribed and therefore suffers a relapse. Social problems such as homelessness, addictions and lack of support in the community is another reason. Another contributing factor discussed was the attraction that seems to lure certain patients to return. A number of possible alternatives were suggested. This means that to improve the current situation and keep the patients in the community there has to be an improvement in community care, further research and nurses' training and education. Description: B.SC.(HONS)MENTAL HEALTH NURSING

2009-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/56012 2023-07-03T07:47:25Z 2009-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Nurses' perceptions of patients with challenging behaviour in a psycho-geriatric setting Abstract: The aim of the present research study was to establish and explore the nurses' perceptions of patients with challenging behaviour in a psycho-geriatric setting. These perceptions were additionally analyzed and found to differ by gender of participants. The data collected was both qualitative and quantitative in nature and was determined by means of a self-administered questionnaire. The items in the questionnaire were based on information collected during a review of literature pertaining to challenging behaviour. The instrument was piloted and then administered to a sample of thirty-six working in a psycho-geriatric setting. Thirty-one participated in the study. Findings of this study showed, that challenging behaviour was viewed by most nurses as an uncontrollable behaviour that may jeopardize the patient's or another person's physical safety in danger. Both the incidence and prevalence of such behaviour is high and nurses claimed that it was an everyday life experience. Elderly mentally ill patients offered challenges for various reasons such as cognitive dysfunction due to dementia, sensory problems, an unfamiliar environment and difficulty in describing their needs and fears. The nurses perceived their strength in being able to offer empathy to such patients but perceived a limitation in their ability to work as a team. As preventive and manageable methods, this study focused on training which would provide knowledge and skills to handle such behaviour in a professional and most appropriate manner. Good staffing levels, increased frequency of ward rounds and leisure activities within the psycho-geriatric setting were suggested as these helped the patient to feel better and to keep control of his behaviour. Another aspect which was revealed in this study is that nurses perceived needing protection and support from their colleagues and managers. As challenging behaviour is an everyday life event in the psycho-geriatric setting, providing nurses with support would help to reduce the level of stress. Striving to assist nurses to manage episodes of such behaviour is a challenge. Hence the need for research which investigates nurses perceptions of challenging behaviour in order to provide recommendations both for additional research and for improvements/changes in practice. Description: B.SC.(HONS)MENTAL HEALTH NURSING

2009-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/55815 2020-11-13T09:32:00Z 2009-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: The experiences of mentally ill patients concerning the stigma they experience within the community. Abstract: This qualitative study has explored the experiences of six individuals with a mental illness who were living in the community, in relation to stigma. The study objectives were to examine patients' perceptions of current existing stigma issues, to investigate how patients feel stigma affects their day to day living in the community and to identify patients' views of how to minimize the effects of stigma. Convenience sampling approach was used to identify patients from a list of regular leave schedules. From this list, a random sampling approach was used to identify the actual participants. Semi-structured interviews were used for this study to help facilitate discussion on the topic and obtain the best possible information from the participants. The main common themes were identified using modified grounded theory approach. The results of this study clearly showed that stigma was generally present in these persons' lives, leading to social exclusion, no support, no employment and feelings of uselessness. Being distanced from their family and relatives was also one of the main issues which concerned most of the participants. A plan for promoting change was discussed by participants and education emerged as being the key element for change to occur. It was therefore concluded that stigma is still so much present in today's life and mental illness is still looked at with disgust, shame and fear. This study recommends that the general public engages in ways to promote change such as avoiding discrimination, using forms of media as a way to deliver information and increase awareness and the importance of support provision to family members. Description: B.SC.(HONS)MENTAL HEALTH NURSING

2009-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/55801 2020-11-15T07:04:13Z 2009-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: The nurses' perception regarding the implementation of animal-assisted therapy in a mental health setting. Abstract: The perceptions of mental health nurses working at a Psychiatric Hospital in Malta about the implementation of animal-assisted therapy (AAT) were investigated through the use of an especially constructed qualitative and quantitative (mixed method) questionnaire. Few studies to date have been undertaken to explore the existing attitudes towards pets in a mental health setting, and therefore little information was available within the literature. The purpose of this study was to discover how nurses of different ages and gender perceived the thought of introducing such therapy onto mental hospital wards in Malta, and to determine whether they held positive or negative attitudes towards animals in clinical areas. Twenty three respondents, from a potential sample of 25 (n=92%), completed the 18 item questionnaire. Data collected was analysed by both qualitative and quantitative approaches, with closed questions being rated on a likert scale and percentaged, and open question data being thematically reviewed. The two approaches were then discussed in correlation to each other. Most respondents seemed reluctant to support the notion of AAT and open ended questions were completed in a limited fashion with little understanding of the importance of the human-animal bond. Although many respondents have acknowledged the physiological and psychological benefits that pets could exert on their patients, the majority of the sample disagreed with housing pets at their place of work. The results from this study show agreement when compared to the findings from the literature undertaken abroad that consistently highlight that mentally ill patients enjoy animal companionship and that this has a positive affect on their condition. This dissertation will hopefully encourage and prompt awareness on behalf of governing authorities about the impact of AAT, recommends further research in this field of study and educational awareness on the topic amongst staff working with the mentally ill. The implications of the study are that if some form of AAT is implemented it may enhance patient's lives and improve their potential for recovery. Description: B.SC.(HONS)MENTAL HEALTH NURSING

2009-01-01T00:00:00Z