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Mixed‐methods evaluation of an educational intervention to change mental health nurses' attitudes to people diagnosed with borderline personality disorder
Author(s) -
Dickens Geoffrey L.,
Lamont Emma,
Mullen Jo,
MacArthur Nadine,
Stirling Fiona J.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of clinical nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.94
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1365-2702
pISSN - 0962-1067
DOI - 10.1111/jocn.14847
Subject(s) - borderline personality disorder , intervention (counseling) , mental health , biosocial theory , hostility , clinical psychology , psychology , personality , medicine , qualitative research , focus group , psychiatry , social psychology , social science , marketing , sociology , business
Aims and objectives To evaluate and explore mental health nurses’ responses to and experience of an educational intervention to improve attitudes towards people with a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder (BPD). Report findings are concordant with relevant EQUATOR guidelines (STROBE and COREQ). Background Attitudes towards people with a diagnosis of BPD are poorer than for people with other diagnoses. There is limited evidence about what might improve this situation. One intervention with reportedly good effect uses an underlying biosocial model of BPD. No previous intervention has been co‐produced with an expert by experience. We developed and delivered a 1‐day intervention comprising these elements. Design A mixed‐methods design was used comprising prospective within‐subjects cohort intervention and qualitative elements. Participants were mental health nursing staff working in inpatient and community settings in one NHS Board in Scotland, UK. Methods Measurement of cognitive and emotional attitudes to people with a diagnosis of BPD at pre‐ and postintervention ( N = 28) and at 4‐month follow‐up. Focus groups were used to explore participants’ experiences of the intervention ( N = 11). Results Quantitative evaluation revealed some sustained changes consistent with expected attitudinal gains in relation to the perceived treatment characteristics of this group, the perception of their suicidal tendencies and negative attitudes in general. Qualitative findings revealed some hostility towards the underpinning biosocial model and positive appreciation for the involvement of an expert by experience. Conclusions Sustained benefits of an educational intervention for people working with people diagnosed with BPD in some but not all areas. Participants provided contrasting messages about what they think will be useful. Relevance to clinical practice The study provides further evidence for incorporation of a biosocial model into staff training as well as the benefits of expert by experience co‐production. Mental health nurses, however, believe that more well‐resourced services are the key to improving care.