Asylum blues: staff attitudes towards psychiatric nursing in Sarawak, East Malaysia.

Authors: Ashencaen Crabtree, S.

Journal: J Psychiatr Ment Health Nurs

Volume: 10

Issue: 6

Pages: 713-721

ISSN: 1351-0126

DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2850.2003.00665.x

Abstract:

This paper draws upon findings from an ethnographic study of psychiatric service users in a psychiatric institution in Sarawak, East Malaysia. Findings focus primarily on the accounts of nursing staff in relation to attitudes towards psychiatric work and patients. These indicate that despite a rhetoric of decentralized services, a custodial 'asylum' model continues to influence the care of patients at many levels. Negative professional attitudes towards patients lead to issues of both moral and physical containment. However, an associated attitude of stigma and prejudice towards mental illness impacts upon how attractive a career in psychiatric nursing is perceived to be by respondents, subject to gender differentials.

Source: PubMed

Asylum blues: Staff attitudes towards psychiatric work in Sarawak, Malaysia

Authors: Ashencaen Crabtree, S.

Journal: Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing

Volume: 10

Pages: 713-721

ISSN: 1351-0126

DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2850.2003.00665.x

Abstract:

This paper draws upon findings from an ethnographic study of psychiatric service users in a psychiatric institution in Sarawak, East Malaysia. Findings focus primarily on the accounts of nursing staff in relation to attitudes towards psychiatric work and patients.

These indicate that despite a rhetoric of decentralized services, a custodial ‘asylum’ model continues to influence the care of patients at many levels. Negative professional attitudes towards patients lead to issues of both moral and physical containment. However, an associated attitude of stigma and prejudice towards mental illness impacts upon how attractive a career in psychiatric nursing is perceived to be by respondents, subject to gender differentials.

Source: Manual

Preferred by: Sara Ashencaen Crabtree