Factors Influencing Attitudes of Nurses in General Health Care Toward Patients with Comorbid Mental Illness: An Integrative Literature Review

Abstract

An estimated 40% of patients in general health care settings suffer from a comorbid mental illness. A literature review was conducted to elucidate the factors underlying the different attitudes of nurses in general health care toward the nursing care of these patients. Although lack of knowledge, skills, and additional training with respect to dealing with patients with comorbid mental illness were frequently mentioned as a cause of negative attitudes, their exact relationships remained unclear. A holistic nursing vision, support, and older age were described as having a positive influence on a positive attitude, and workload was described as having a negative influence.