Importance of families in nursing care for people with mental disorders: attitudes of Portuguese and Brazilian nurses

Abstract

Objective: To characterize and compare the attitudes of nurses working in primary healthcare on the importance of involving the families of people with mental disorders in nursing care. Method: A cross-sectional study carried out in the cities of Porto (Portugal) and São Paulo (Brazil). Data was collected in 2018 using the “The Importance of Families in Nursing Care - Nurses’ Attitudes” scale. Results: There were 250 Portuguese and 250 Brazilian nurses who participated. The total average score on the scale was 86.0 in Portugal and 82.1 in Brazil (with a maximum possible of 104). The variables which influence a more favorable attitude towards the involvement of families in nursing care in the Portuguese context are academic qualifications and age, while in Brazil they are training on Family Nursing and the weekly workload. Conclusion: Participants in both countries have a positive attitude towards families, which constitutes a first step towards their integration in nursing care and also enables advances in mental health politics.