Perception of Psychiatric Nurses for Adolescents Under-Going Puberty on Rules at the Place of Treatment

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to clarify the perceptions held by psychiatric nurses charged with care of adolescents undergoing puberty about the rules in the place of treatment. Study participants were eight nurses with at least three years of experience working at psychiatric ward for adolescents undergoing puberty or at daycare facilities that accept puberty age patients.

Data were collected through semi-structured interviews using an interview guide. The abstraction level was enhanced through comparative examination, and subcategories and categories were generated. The results revealed that nurses perceived rules at the place of treatment in the following four categories: “means to protect the children,” “means for children to successfully interact with others given their own conditions and disabilities,” “means for children to maintain group life,” and “means for children to live beyond the limits created by adults.” In addition, this study indicated that there is a hierarchy to the rules that function as these means, and that psychiatric nurses charged with care of adolescents undergoing puberty play a significant role by using rules as means for children to achieve their goals.