Citation

Adamek ME, Kaplan MS. Journal of Mental Health and Aging 2003; 9(3): 171-182.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

A number of trends in the health care sector have converged over the past decade to expand the role of nurse practitioners (NPs) in delivering geriatric mental health care. As yet, few studies have examined NP assessment of their mental health preparation and interventions with geriatric patients. The aim of this study was to examine the factors associated with NP confidence in managing late-life suicidality. A national sample of NPs were surveyed, and over 60% completed a mail questionnaire (N = 340). Central findings suggest that training in geriatric mental health and suicide risk assessment were highly predictive of levels of confidence. A favorable assessment of mental health training in nursing school was positively associated with confidence. Experience with suicidal patients also plays an important role in NP confidence levels. New opportunities to upgrade NP knowledge and skills in geriatric mental health are critical to reducing the high rate of elderly suicide.

Language: en