Search

Background:  In South Africa, various treatment modalities from abroad have been implemented to treat patients with mood disorders. This article is based on a South African model that has been developed, implemented and evaluated for psychiatric nurses to use in facilitating constructive group therapy for patients with mood disorders., Objectives:  This study aimed to describe psychiatric nurses' experiences in implementation of a model to facilitate constructive group therapy for patients with mood disorders., Method:  A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual research design was used for this study. Participants were psychiatric nurses working in an inpatient unit for patients with mood disorders in a public psychiatric hospital., Results:  The study revealed that psychiatric nurses experienced the model as a supportive tool to facilitate constructive interaction among patients with mood disorders. The model was beneficial in creating a safe space for patients to share and deal with their challenges, promoting optimal functioning outside the hospital setting. The model's implementation also fostered improvement in psychiatric nurses' personal and professional skills., Conclusion:  The model emphasised psychiatric nurses' importance in treating patients with mood disorders and ensuring positive patient experiences and outcomes.Contribution: This study contributes to the theory of clinical psychiatric nursing practice and the empowerment of psychiatric nurses, creating self-awareness related to working with patients with mood disorders.

Background: An important aspect of nursing theory development has been the adaptation of theory from other disciplines within the metaparadigm of nursing. This eclectic approach to theory development enhances the broad humanistic theory base on which effective, professional nursing practice is based., Aims and Objectives: The aim of this article is to describe the process of integrating two distinct psychotherapeutic approaches into one coherent mental health nursing intervention for the treatment of affective symptoms in older adults. Guidelines for using this integration process in psychiatric mental health nursing clinical practice are presented and illustrated through the case study approach., Methods: A case study is presented describing a clinical situation in which life review techniques were used to enhance the outcomes of a cognitive therapy experience for older adults enrolled in outpatient psychotherapy treatment for acute adjustment disorder with an affective component., Conclusions and Relevance to Clinical Practice: The advanced practice psychiatric mental health nurse who approaches psychotherapeutic interventions with older adult clients from an eclectic approach can achieve successful outcomes by having a clear understanding of (i) the dynamics of the various psychotherapeutic approaches, (i) the skill level of the practitioner, (iii) the psychosocial sophistication of the client, and (iv) the pathology being treated. In addition, active involvement by the client in a treatment process that matches his/her psychosocial skill and coping resource level will contribute to effective resolution of pathology. A cognitive therapy approach supplemented by life review techniques is an excellent example of an effective, eclectic treatment approach of affective disorders in older adults.

1. A group of alcoholic patients who were treated with a physical fitness program as an adjunct to the usual program showed significantly less craving for alcohol than members in the standard treatment group. 2. The group treated with physical fitness as well as therapy saw themselves as having more internal locus of control and being less controlled by powerful others. 3. Nurses are the hospital professionals most likely to be involved with important roles in exercise programs with alcoholic patients.

There is a scarcity of information available with respect to postbereavement outcomes for survivors of the suicide of a loved one. Few studies have focused on postvention therapies for the bereaved, particularly the bereaved survivors of suicide. The major aim of this study as to compare the effects of two theoretically derived nursing postventions, Bereavement Group Postvention (BGP) and Social Group Postvention (SGP), among the widowed whose spouses died of suicide. The findings suggest that both groups experienced an overall reduction in depression and distress. Although participants in the SGP generally showed significant improvement in social adjustment, they tended to be less well adjusted with respect to their parental roles at the end of the 8-week postvention sessions. Comparison of the psychoemotional correlates of grief varied such that there were no significant differences between the postvention groups for social isolation, loss of control, somatization, or death anxiety. The BGP participants experienced significantly reduced levels of anger/hostility and guilt; however, feelings of anger/hostility actually increased for those receiving the SGP. There was a significant reduction in feelings of despair, rumination, and depersonalization for both groups. Although social isolation was not significantly reduced for participants in either group, those receiving the BGP tended to experience a reduction in social isolation and those receiving the SGP showed no changes.

Two different strategies are possible for improving nurses' interactions with elderly patients. One is to arrange special periods, such as reality orientation, in which a high level of appropriate interaction is encouraged. The other is to improve nurses' attitudes to patients and treatment, or select nurses with better attitudes, on the grounds that poor attitudes might underly poor behaviour. This study was designed to find out whether nurses' interactions with elderly patients varied in relation to their attitudes, or differed between periods of routine care or of special activities based on reality orientation organized by the nurses. Systematic observations were made of the behaviour of 27 nurses working on two psychogeriatric wards, before all nurses completed questionnaires measuring attitudes to nursing care and to elderly people. A higher proportion of interactions were 'positive' (i.e. involved nurses' informing, questioning or making general conversation) during activity periods than at other times. No attitudinal measure predicted the proportion of interactions which were positive, although this was greater in qualified nurses. The results are consistent with the view that formal reality orientation periods can improve the quality of nurses' interactions with elderly patients, but are inconsistent with the view that targeting nurses' attitudes would be effective.

The authors describe an eight-session primary prevention group program for latency age children who were dealing with adoption issues. The structure and the process of the group are described and the effectiveness of the program is evaluated. One of the authors, who is both an adoptive parent and a nurse psychotherapist, was the group leader. The group served to facilitate the lifelong process of dealing with adoption issues.

Psychiatric mental health nurses are increasingly recognizing the traumatic effects of childhood incest on adult survivors. This article discusses a long-term group therapy that specifically deals with unresolved familial issues as a treatment for adult women who are survivors of incest. An interactional family model is described, as well as its use by nurse specialists who act as facilitators and surrogate parents in a long-term group process. Specific focus is on the use of the model in working through dysfunctional communication patterns and boundary and survival issues.