Mental Health Nurses’ Attitudes on Consumers with Dual Diagnosis: A Thematic Analysis

Abstract

Background: The issue of dual diagnosis continues to be a global health concern. There is a lack of empirical research on mental health nurses’ attitudes toward consumers with dual diagnosis. Objective: This study aimed to answer the following research question: How do mental health nurses describe their attitude toward consumers with co-existing mental health and drug and alcohol problems? Design: This qualitative study employed purposive sampling to recruit participants. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore mental health nurses’ attitudes toward consumers with dual diagnosis. Setting: This study focused on mental health nurses employed in mental health settings. It placed a particular emphasis on mental health nurses who had experience in caring for consumers with dual diagnosis. Seventeen mental health nurses participated in the interview. Methods: Interviews were transcribed verbatim and coded using NVivo™ 12 Plus software. Thematic analysis was used to generate codes and themes inductively. Results: Three major themes with a total of eight sub-themes were identified: (1) satisfaction and connection, with three subthemes; (2) combating negativity in others, with two subthemes; and (3) working to improve outcomes, with three subthemes. Conclusions: Participants were concerned about their peers’ sense of fear and frustration, stigmatized language, and lack of consistency in providing dual diagnosis training for mental health nurses. There is a need to investigate effective strategies to address mental health nurses’ stigmatized attitudes, fear, and frustration toward consumers with dual diagnosis.