Attitudes and Beliefs of Nursing Students Toward Mental Disorder: The Significance of Direct Experience With Patients.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to analyze nursing students' beliefs and attitudes toward mental disorder before and after clinical placements.

DESIGN AND METHODS: A cross-sectional design was chosen. One hundred ninety-four first- and third-year students in a three-year nursing degree course completed the Attribution Questionnaire AQ-27 regarding Mental Health, the Questionnaire of Beliefs, and a Socio-Demographic Questionnaire.

FINDINGS: Significant differences were found between students who had experienced mental illness and those who had not. Differences were also found between students with friends who suffered from mental health problems and those who did not.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: These results emphasize the need for nursing students to have direct interaction with people with a mental illness.