Attitudes of nursing students on consumer participation: The effectiveness of the mental health consumer participation questionnaire

Abstract

Purpose: The aims of this article were to evaluate the Mental Health Consumer Participation Questionnaire, and measure nursing students' attitudes to consumer participation. Design and Methods: Undergraduate nursing students (n = 116) completed the Mental Health Consumer Participation Questionnaire at the start of a course on recovery for mental health nursing practice. Findings: The current findings confirm an endorsement of consumer participation in individual care processes, but less agreement with participation in organizational-level processes, such as management of mental health services and education of providers. This article also confirms that the questionnaire can effectively measure attitudes to consumer participation. Practice Implications: The participation of consumers is critical for achieving person-centered services mental health services. It is important that nursing education influence positive attitudes.