The Nurses' Attitudes Towards Patients With Non-Suicidal Self-Injury: Development and Preliminary Validation

Abstract

Aim Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a public health problem throughout the world. Nurses are usually the first caregivers in the mental health team who deal with people with NSSI. Since the consequences of self-injury are associated with its care and treatment, nurses' attitudes towards these people are an important issue. This study aimed to develop and test a scale to measure nurses' attitudes towards patients with non-suicidal self-injury in the Farsi language. Design A methodological survey. Methods In this methodological study, to scale preparation, psychometric steps were performed on a questionnaire based on the results of a qualitative study and literature review. Exploratory Factor Analysis was conducted to identify the underlying structure of the scale. Results The results of the psychometric evaluation showed that the scale included the 22-item NANSSI in four dimensions, including negativism about the consequences of caring, adopting a counselling approach, violating caring norms, and perceptions about self-injury. By Cronbach's alpha equal to 0.75, its reliability is estimated. This scale showed a good validity and reliability, which is applicable to evaluate quality of care for patients with non-suicidal self-injury.