Inpatient Nursing for Abused Adolescents with Problematic Behaviors

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to clarify the nursing interventions used at child and adolescent psychiatric wards for abused adolescents with problematic behaviors. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 9 nurses with at least 5 years’ clinical experience of working at child and adolescent psychiatric wards. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis.

We identified 5 key nursing themes designed to help patients: engaging with child so that he or she feel valued by staff; providing a framework where child can feel at ease; helping to acquire expressions other than problem behavior; doing support to solidify feelings for life after discharge; and creating a foundation for child. Each nursing theme consisted of sub-themes that showed more specific nurse behavior.