Social distance and related factors of nurses working in non-psychiatric clinics toward individuals diagnosed with mental disorders

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to determine the level of social distancing among nurses working in non-psychiatric clinics toward individuals diagnosed with mental disorders and the associated factors.
METHODS: The study was conducted using a descriptive and correlational research design. Data were obtained from 217 nurses working in non-psychiatric clinics. Data were collected using an individual information form and the ‘social distance scale,’ which includes two separate scenarios regarding anxiety and schizophrenia diagnoses. The SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences for Windows 22.0) and AMOS programs were used in the data analysis.
RESULTS: The social distance score was found to be 3.86±1.75 for the anxiety disorder case and 5.98±1.36 for the schizophrenia case. In both cases, the statement “Suppose that you have a sister. Would it bother you if your sister wanted to marry this person?” had the highest mean score. It was found that nurses most frequently reported the emotion of ‘compassion’ toward the anxiety disorder case and ‘unhealthiness and fear’ toward the schizophrenia case.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: According to the study findings, it can be stated that nurses working in non-psychiatric clinics have higher levels of social distance toward people diagnosed with schizophrenia compared to those diagnosed with anxiety disorder. Therefore, training programs aimed at reducing social distance can be organized for nurses who also provide care to people with mental disorders in the clinics where they work.

Keywords: Anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, social distancing