Attitudes towards suicidal behaviour and associated factors among nursing professionals: A quantitative study

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Mental Health
• Emergency Medicine

Background:

• Emergency nurses' attitudes toward suicide impact patient care.
• Factors influencing these attitudes are not well understood.
• Lack of mental health and suicide-specific training is prevalent.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate attitudes towards suicidal behavior among emergency nursing professionals.
• To identify factors associated with these attitudes in emergency settings.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional observational study in Brazil (2015).
• Included 28 nurses and 118 nursing assistants.
• Utilized sociodemographic questionnaire and Suicide Behavior Attitude Questionnaire (SBAQ).

Main Results:

• Majority lacked mental health/suicide training, exhibiting negative attitudes and lower self-perceived competence.
• Previous mental health service experience correlated with less judgmental attitudes.
• Prehospital service work was linked to lower self-perceived competence.

Conclusions:

• Mental health practice, support, and training can foster positive attitudes and emotional competencies in nurses.
• Suicide education strategies must incorporate attitudinal and emotional components.
• Emotional support for emergency nursing professionals is essential.