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The attitudes of undergraduate nursing students towards mental health nursing: a systematic review

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  • Brenda Happell
  • Cadeyrn J Gaskin

Abstract

Aims and objectives To present the findings of a systematic review on (1) the attitudes of undergraduate nursing students towards mental health nursing and (2) the influence of undergraduate nursing education on the attitudes of undergraduate nursing students towards mental health nursing. Background Recruitment and retention of mental health nurses is challenging. Undergraduate nursing students' attitudes towards mental health nursing may influence whether they choose to practice in this specialty upon graduation. Design A systematic review. Method Searches of the CINAHL, MEDLINE and PsycINFO electronic databases returned 1400 records, of which 17 met the inclusion criteria for this review. A further four papers were obtained through scanning the reference lists of those articles included from the initial literature search. Results Research on the attitudes of undergraduate nursing students towards mental health nursing has consistently shown that mental health is one of the least preferred areas of nursing for a potential career. With respect to the influence of undergraduate nursing education on the attitudes of students towards mental health nursing, quasi‐experimental studies have generally demonstrated that students tended to have more favourable attitudes towards mental health nursing when they had received more hours of theoretical preparation and undertaken longer clinical placements. Conclusion Many nursing students regard mental health nursing as the least preferred career option. Education, via classroom teaching and clinical placements, seems to engender more positive attitudes towards mental health nursing. There is no evidence, however, that changing student attitudes results in more graduates beginning careers in mental health nursing. Reference to clinical practice The constancy of negative attitudes to mental health nursing over time suggests the focus of research should shift. Clinicians have the capacity to promote a more positive view of mental health nursing. This requires further exploration.

Suggested Citation

  • Brenda Happell & Cadeyrn J Gaskin, 2013. "The attitudes of undergraduate nursing students towards mental health nursing: a systematic review," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 22(1-2), pages 148-158, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:jocnur:v:22:y:2013:i:1-2:p:148-158
    DOI: 10.1111/jocn.12022
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    Cited by:

    1. Julián Rodríguez-Almagro & Antonio Hernández-Martínez & David Rodríguez-Almagro & José Miguel Quiros-García & María del Carmen Solano-Ruiz & Juan Gómez-Salgado, 2019. "Level of Stigma among Spanish Nursing Students toward Mental Illness and Associated Factors: A Mixed-Methods Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-13, December.
    2. Yi-Hang Chiu & Meei-Ying Kao & Kah Kheng Goh & Cheng-Yu Lu & Mong-Liang Lu, 2022. "Renaming Schizophrenia and Stigma Reduction: A Cross-Sectional Study of Nursing Students in Taiwan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(6), pages 1-11, March.
    3. Rosa Giralt Palou & Gemma Prat Vigué & Maria Romeu-Labayen & Glòria Tort-Nasarre, 2022. "Analysis of Stigma in Relation to Behaviour and Attitudes towards Mental Health as Influenced by Social Desirability in Nursing Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(6), pages 1-12, March.
    4. Ida T Bjørk & Karin Berntsen & Grethe Brynildsen & Margrete Hestetun, 2014. "Nursing students' perceptions of their clinical learning environment in placements outside traditional hospital settings," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 23(19-20), pages 2958-2967, October.
    5. Margaret McAllister & Brenda Happell & Trudi Flynn, 2014. "Learning essentials: What graduates of mental health nursing programmes need to know from an industry perspective," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 23(23-24), pages 3449-3459, December.

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