The purpose of this study was to describe assessment particulars for judging the possibility of discharge for long-term hospitalized patients with schizophrenia under the age of 65 years by psychiatric ward nurses. The participants were from three psychiatric hospitals in A and B prefectures of Japan, and the data were from semi-structured interviews with seven psychiatric ward nurses.

A content analysis of the narratives obtained from the interviews generated 42 codes for different meanings, 20 subcategories that explain and organize the codes, and distinguish these into the following 6 categories: “stabilization of medication-taking behavior,” “improvement in problematic behaviors toward self and others,” “reclaiming life by lowering mental symptoms,” “patient assent to the discharge,” “family coming to terms with the psychiatric symptoms,” and “acceptance of the family role that is required when the patient is discharged.” Based on these the psychiatric ward nurses have judged the possibility of discharge for long-term hospitalized patients with schizophrenia under the age of 65 years.

Subcategories of the findings of this study contribute to issues that are useful in collecting information when nurses with little experience in discharge support assess possibility of a discharge.

Psychiatric nurses have high occupational stress and often suffer from burnout. Work engagement (WE) has recently been proposed as a contrasting concept of burnout and is attracting attention. This study aimed to clarify WE among psychiatric nurses and analyze the associations between WE and self-efficacy, resilience, and stigma for mentally ill persons.

An anonymous self-administered questionnaire survey was distributed among 350 ward nursing staff at five psychiatric hospitals in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. The Japanese version of the Utrecht work engagement scale was used to evaluate WE. The association with WE was analyzed by multiple linear regression analysis, with the total WE score and the scores of the three subscales as the dependent variables.

Valid responses were obtained from 242 nursing staff (valid response rate 79.6%). The mean total WE score was 44.4 (standard deviation 15.4), and 73.1 percent were categorized in the low WE group (total WE score: 51 or less). The multiple linear regression analysis showed that the resilience score was positively associated with the total WE score and the scores of the three subscales. However, no significant association was found with self-efficacy scores or the stigma for mentally ill persons. The number of nighit duty showed negative association with the total WE and the scores of dedication.

Resilience was positively associated with WE. Therefore, efforts should be made to increase resilience among psychiatric nurses to enhance WE.

A negative association between the number of night duty and WE suggested the need to limit it’s number.

The purpose of this study is to describe narratives of elderly residents with mental illness living in nursing homes and who receive care from “helping professionals.” It also examines issues that arise in the care provided. Qualitative research was conducted using semi-structured interviews. Participants were elderly residents aged 65 and over, diagnosed with mental illnesses other than dementia who responded freely to interview questions on the following three topics: the residents’ (1) background prior to entering the nursing home; (2) impressive care experiences; and (3) feelings and thoughts about receiving care. We performed thematic analysis on the data, which were recorded using an IC recorder.

Ten residents with mental illness from four nursing homes participated in the survey, and the history of their care was drawn from their stories. For participants whose self-esteem was hurt by having a mental illness, the process of building relationships with helping professionals who provided good care—even if they got hurt by their relationship with the helping professionals—improved their the way of thinking about illness, and their life became more positive. They felt recognized as “individuals.” For such elderly residents with mental illness, interpersonal relationships that promote the recovery of self-esteem are an important aspect of nursing home care.

Apathy, a frequent behavioral and psychological symptom of dementia patients, is often overlooked due to its low priority in care. This study clarifies the nursing practice of skilled dementia nurses for dementia patients with apathy.

We conducted a semi-structured interview survey with 11 skilled dementia nurses, which included psychiatric nurse specialists. The research was conducted from the perspective of “nursing practice for dementia patients with apathy” and the data was analyzed qualitatively and inductively.

Consequently, six categories were generated: “Waited patiently for a response and believed that the intentions and feelings were alive,” Provide opportunities for people to express their individuality,” “Used strengths and familiar relationships to promote recovery,” “Intentional stimulation to elicit emotional responses,” “Assessment that considered the possibility that the symptoms were not apathy,” and “Support for daily life to maintain minimum function.” For dementia patients with apathy, it is important that nurses assess them with the frequent occurrence of apathy in mind and work with them in a way that respects their personality.

The purpose of this study was to understand how nurses working in psychiatric wards perceived and responded to the reactions expressed by patients who experienced relocation of their ward. It clarified what their experience was, and considered what it meant.

Nurses felt various feelings such as anxiety, irritation, and helplessness by observing and engaging with the reactions of patients who faced relocation. In addition, the move increased the number of nurses’ duties, and the provision of information from the hospital was delayed, and the work changed in the ward after relocation, which made nurses anxious. However, even those negative emotions could be utilized in care by noticing their own emotions and grasping their meanings. It was also a turning point for care, such as deepening the understanding of patients through the involvement of moving and adjusting the appropriate treatment environment for patients. Supporting the nurses who care for patients who faced the relocation was the strength of the team of nurses teeming with ‘awareness’ and ‘care’.

This study aims to find the meaning of the staff and peer supporters running the wellness recovery action plan (WRAP) class for the patients in the medical treatment and supervision act (MTSA) ward. We interviewed seven patients who participated in the WRAP class for more than two courses. As a result of analyzing the interview results, three categories composed of 12 subcategories were extracted from 49 codes: (1) appeal that recovered patients feel because they are recovered patients, (2) the respectful and cross-boundary relationships, and (3) a place where people can support and enhance one another. It was found that the patients felt hope in the sight of peer supporters who had recovered through WRAP, in the equal relationship between staff and peer supporters, and in the relationship that cross-boundary relationships between medical staff and patients. These results suggest that the WRAP class had become a place where patients could support each other and enhance their WRAP skills and motivation toward recovery, even under the compulsory management of the MTSA ward.