The attitudes of mental health nurses that support a positive therapeutic relationship: the perspective of people diagnosed with BPD

Abstract

Introduction: the therapeutic relationship between mental health nurses and people diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD) is essential to successful treatment, and nurses' attitudes are a key component of this relationship. Some nurses develop positive therapeutic relationships with people diagnosed with BPD, while others have negative emotional reactions which in turn limit their ability to develop a positive therapeutic relationship. There is a gap in the literature with respect how people diagnosed with BPD perceive the attitudes of mental health nurses that foster a positive therapeutic relationship. Aim: to describe how people diagnosed with BPD who have experienced an improvement perceive the role of the attitudes of mental health nurses in building a positive therapeutic relationship. Method: qualitative descriptive design with 12 interviews; thematic content analysis. Results: participants identified five attitudes of mental health nurses as contributing to a positive therapeutic relationship: confidence in their ability to recover, non-judgement, humour, availability and humanity. Discussion: nurses' attitudes are key to the therapeutic relationship. It may be possible for nurses to improve their attitudes toward patients diagnosed with BPD through self-reflection. Implications for Practice: mental health nurses should incorporate methods that explore attitudes and attitudinal development of the workforce.