Assessment of Perceptions of Nursing Undergraduates towards Mental Health Practices
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Abstract
Background: Undergraduate nursing students, like the general population, are not devoid of negative attitudes relating to mental health. As future manpower, undergraduate nursing students need to be trained in a manner that inspires confidence in the way they perceive and handle mentally ill persons.
Aim: This study aimed to investigate undergraduate students' perceptions and attitudes toward mental health practices.
Methods: The study adopted a cross-sectional descriptive design approach. A self-reported questionnaire was prepared and sent to 140 undergraduate nursing students studying at King Saud University. A total of 128 students took part in the study by filling out self-reported questionnaires.
Results: Undergraduate nursing students have a positive perception and attitude (social relationships) towards people living with mentally ill persons in three of the five Attitudes towards Mental Illness (AMI) categories investigated. AMI1 (18.93), AMI2 (9.55), AMI3 (16.88), AMI4 (8.34), AMI5 (9.82), Average AMI (62.98).
Conclusion: Undergraduate nursing students hold unjustified views regarding people with mental illness, which leads to negative attitudes held throughout their studies and professional practice. As future manpower, it is important that psychiatric training is reformed to offer undergraduate nursing students comprehensive skills necessary for future practice.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Algamdii A.
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