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The gray zone of patient‐nurse communication: Inappropriate sexual behavior
Author(s) -
Uslu Esra,
Buldukoglu Kadriye
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
perspectives in psychiatric care
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.538
H-Index - 35
eISSN - 1744-6163
pISSN - 0031-5990
DOI - 10.1111/ppc.12591
Subject(s) - harassment , phrase , human sexuality , gray (unit) , psychology , nursing , medicine , clinical psychology , radiology , gender studies , artificial intelligence , sociology , computer science
Purpose This review was written to examine the incidences of inappropriate sexual behavior (ISB) and to study the responsibilities of nurses in the management of ISB. Conclusions When nurses experience ISB, they tend to describe this situation as harassment. However, the use of the phrase “harassment” indicates inadequate professionalism because although disturbing, not every incidence of ISB is an expression of adult sexuality. Some patients are also likely to use this type of behavior to mask their existing life stress. As a result, nurses have difficulty interpreting and managing behavior that falls in this gray zone. Practice Implications To support nurses, we recommended that studies that define ISB, determine its prevalence, evaluate it, and guide nurses in the management of ISB should be carried out.