Melissa Neathery1, Elizabeth Johnston Taylor2, Zhaomin He3. 1. Baylor University Louise Herrington School of Nursing, 333 N. Washington Ave, Dallas, TX 75246, USA. Electronic address: Melissa_Neathery@Baylor.edu. 2. Loma Linda University, West Hall, 92350, 11262 Campus St, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA. Electronic address: ejtaylor@llu.edu. 3. University of Texas at Tyler, 3900 University Blvd, Tyler, TX 75799, USA. Electronic address: zhe@uttyler.edu.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Although nurses typically view spiritual care as important, it is provided infrequently. OBJECTIVES: This research investigated psychiatric mental health nurses' perceived barriers to providing spiritual care, and how these barriers were associated with frequency of spiritual care and demographic factors. METHODS: This cross-sectional correlational study of 159 psychiatric mental health nurses used questionnaires to measure frequency of spiritual care and barriers to spiritual care. RESULTS: The most frequent barriers to providing spiritual care were lack of education and fear of exacerbating psychiatric symptoms. Psychiatric mental health nurses provided spiritual care infrequently. CONCLUSIONS: Nurses need education about providing spiritual care to those with psychiatric mental health needs.
BACKGROUND: Although nurses typically view spiritual care as important, it is provided infrequently. OBJECTIVES: This research investigated psychiatric mental health nurses' perceived barriers to providing spiritual care, and how these barriers were associated with frequency of spiritual care and demographic factors. METHODS: This cross-sectional correlational study of 159 psychiatric mental health nurses used questionnaires to measure frequency of spiritual care and barriers to spiritual care. RESULTS: The most frequent barriers to providing spiritual care were lack of education and fear of exacerbating psychiatric symptoms. Psychiatric mental health nurses provided spiritual care infrequently. CONCLUSIONS: Nurses need education about providing spiritual care to those with psychiatric mental health needs.