Investigation of stigma and attitude towards patients in forensic psychiatric nurses

This study was carried out with a descriptive and cross-sectional design to examine stigma and attitudes towards patients in forensic psychiatric nurses. After obtaining ethical committee and institutional permission, the study was conducted by T.R. Ministry of Health Istanbul Bakırköy Prof. Dr. It was carried out with nurses working in the forensic psychiatry service of Mazhar Osman Mental Health and Neurological Diseases Training and Research Hospital. The study was collected between 01.02.2024-30.04.2024. The population of the study consisted of 130 nurses working in forensic psychiatry services. The entire population was reached and the data collection process was terminated with the participation of 130 nurses. In collecting the data of the study; Personal Information Form, Nurse Attitude Scale for Forensic Psychiatry Patients, and Stigma Scale were used. Study data were collected face to face. In the statistical analysis of the research data, in the evaluation of the sociodemographic characteristics of individuals; frequency and percentage, mean and standard deviation, median, minimum and maximum evaluation, arithmetic mean, standard deviation, median, minimum and maximum evaluation in the evaluation of scale scores, statistical analyzes to evaluate normality situations, correlation tests to evaluate the relationship between the scores of the scales, and analysis of the reliability of the scales. Reliability tests were used. Variance analysis tests were used to compare scale scores according to sociodemographic characteristics. The average age of the people was 28.90±6.67 (years), 39.5% (n=55) were in the 25-29 age group, 69.1% (n=96) were women, 70.5% were It was determined that (n=98) were single and 74.1% (n=103) were undergraduate graduates. It was determined that 43.9% (n=61) had been working as forensic nurses for ≤1 year, 87.1% (n=121) were service nurses, and 56.8% (n=79) worked day and night shifts. . A negative, weak and statistically significant relationship was detected between APHYHTÖ – general and labeling, psychological health, prejudice, and AS – general (p<0.05). As labeling, psychological well-being, prejudice, and EO – overall increase, APHYHTS – overall will decrease. The results of this study revealed that nurses' attitudes towards forensic psychiatric patients vary according to factors such as socio-demographic factors, education and professional experience. Forensic psychiatry and stigmatization issues should be included in nursing education, thus increasing empathy and understanding towards patients and reducing prejudices. Research should be conducted to understand the factors affecting the attitudes and stigma levels of forensic psychiatric nurses and to intervene in these factors.