Training of children and adolescents’ mental health nursing for nursing students in Japan

Abstract

Background: Children and adolescents’ mental health nursing has not been positioned in the curriculum of nursing schools in Japan. The purpose of the present study is to clarify the prevalence of training of children and adolescents’ mental health nursing for nursing students.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from September to October 2013 in Japan. Faculties of pediatric and psychiatric nursing both reported on the educational contents and methods of children and adolescents’ mental health nursing by self-administered questionnaires. To compare prevalence of the training of children and adolescents’ mental health nursing between pediatric and psychiatric nursing, chi-square tests were carried out.

Results: The participants in the study were 133 pediatric (39.8%) and 123 psychiatric nursing departments (36.8%). Over 80% of participants had instructed the following 4 educational contents: process of mental development, mental health issues surrounding children and adolescents, related laws and regulations, and classification and treatment for children and adolescents with mental illnesses. Whereas, less than 40% of them had instructed the other 3 contents: nursing care for children and adolescents with mental illnesses, support agency for children and adolescents, and family support. Pediatric nursing had significantly higher prevalence than psychiatric nursing among process of mental development, mental health issues surrounding children and adolescents, and related laws and regulations.

Conclusions: Japanese nursing schools have dealt with basic knowledge of mental health with children and adolescents. It will be a challenge in the future to enhance training of practical nursing.