Showing papers in "Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services in 1989"

Caring: commitment to excellence or condemnation to conformity?

Abstract: The art of caring to alleviate illness and to promote health is nursing's unique commitment to society and the health-care industry. How this practice is implemented dictates the success or failure of prescribed strategies. In addition, the way in which caring is implemented defines emotional maturity on both a personal and professional level. Several goals to rehabilitate the psychologically codependent person include: Developing an awareness of the origins of codependency and how early family experiences affect subsequent behavior and beliefs about oneself; Identifying the personal price and payoffs for continuing codependent behaviors; The ability to openly express personal needs, wishes, feelings, and opinions while respecting the rights of others; Learning to discriminate between loving/caring and the destructive control of codependency; and The ability to take responsibility for another rather than being responsible to another. Codependent behaviors are prevalent within professional nursing practice, as evidenced by examples provided from three specialty areas in nursing and the fact that women (who are traditionally assigned the cultural role of caring) constitute the majority of professional nurses. Therefore, it is a professional challenge to each nurse to ascertain whether practices are functional or dysfunctional: is the professional interpretation of caring a commitment to excellence or a condemnation to conformity in the unique delivery of health-care practice?

Coping with transition.

Abstract: 1. The concept of transition is defined; the factors influencing the dimensions are noted; and the types of transition are discussed relative to their application to the homeless mentally ill. 2. Preventive strategies to help the homeless mentally ill are presented from the perspectives of crisis intervention and primary prevention. 3. Emphasis is placed on the role of the psychiatric mental health nurse and the responsibility to assist the homeless mentally ill move toward optimum health.

Counseling clients with genital herpes.

Abstract: The epidemic of genital herpes requires nurses to diagnose and treat human responses to this health problem (American Nurses' Association, 1980). It also creates many opportunities for nurses, particularly in the realm of counseling and education. Given the changing epidemiology of genital herpes and the psychosocial consequences, nurses need to keep abreast of new information so that they may assist people to live with the disease and teach the prevention of transmission of the disease. Recent information about mild and asymptomatic cases of herpes infections has serious implications for counseling and education of persons with genital herpes. The emergence of this "silent" dimension of herpes infections means more difficulty in diagnosis and treatment. All persons with genital herpes should be assessed for their physical and psychological responses to the disease and information should be given to combat misconceptions, to alleviate fear, and aid in preventing transmission. The most significant implication of mild or asymptomatic herpes is the greater risk of transmission. The public needs to be informed about the practice of "safer sex" as a routine measure to prevent herpes, as well as AIDS and other STDs. Given the widespread and epidemic proportions of herpes, persons should be counseled to use condoms whenever they engage in sexual activity with a partner. In addition, correct use of condoms must be taught. Nurses have an important role to play in counseling clients with genital herpes and in preventing the disease.

Research & clinical practice. Building a nursing research culture.

Abstract: The internalization of clinical nursing research values, norms, and attitudes via orientation and research development, along with the introduction of research tools (artifacts), constitutes the birthing phase of the acculturation process. The development of unit and individual research agendas and the implementation of research rounds illustrates a "bonding phase," in that nurses are bonding or weaving research into the fabric of their clinical practice. The final phase, stabilization, occurs when clinical nursing research is core to clinical nursing practice as illustrated by rewards or sanctions via performance evaluations, and provisions for release time for research participation.

Deinstitutionalization: A Public Policy Perspective

Abstract: 1. Deinstitutionalization was initiated in an era of social reform to protect the rights of the mentally ill; however, a strong research base was absent and led to major flaws in the policy's implementation. 2. The chronically mentally ill are frequently poor advocates for themselves and, without even the most simple needs fulfilled, end up homeless. 3. The homeless mentally ill require comprehensive support systems with assured continuity of care. An emerging concept to deal with this issue is that of case management. 4. The mental health professional can strive to influence future public policy as patient advocate and nonpartisan educator.

Western voodoo: providing mental health care to Haitian refugees.

Abstract: This article described certain aspects of Haitian life, voodoo and its role in Haitian society, the quality and quantity of psychiatric and mental health care for Haitians in Haiti, and suggestions for providing appropriate mental health care to Haitian refugees in the United States. Conway and Buchanan (1985) described what has helped Haitian refugees adapt in the transition to life in the United States: the strengths from their cultural heritage, such as fortitude; perseverance in the most arduous circumstances; deep religious faith; high self-respect; reliance on the extended family; and the tradition of sharing. Building on these assets may assist Western mental health-care providers in offering culturally sensitive mental health care to Haitians.

Resolving incest experiences through inpatient group therapy.

Abstract: 1. Yalom's "curative factors" provide a helpful "here and now" model for inpatient group therapy with incest survivors. 2. Psychiatric nurses are in an excellent position to identify female patients who have been sexually abused and to establish and conduct therapy groups for these women. 3. Preparation of women for the group by the therapist is an essential prerequisite for successful integration into the group. 4. During hospitalization, some of the women may experience brief psychotic episodes, suicidal ideation, self-mutilation, and increased depression, which may preclude group attendance for brief periods. However, these experiences will provide ongoing opportunities for exploration of group feelings of anger, helplessness, despair, and alienation.