Mental Health Nurses' Attitudes and Perceptions Towards the Trauma Specialist Nurse Role: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Trauma-informed care (TIC) is widely recognised in psychiatric practice, yet the trauma specialist nurse role remains undefined in Israel. Aims: This study aimed to examine mental health nurses' attitudes and perceptions of the trauma specialist nurse role and to identify predictors of support for its implementation. Design: This study utilised a cross-sectional research design. Method: This cross-sectional study included 152 mental health nurses from inpatient, forensic, rehabilitation, and community settings. Data were collected using an adapted questionnaire based on the Attitudes Related to TIC Scale. Findings: Professional authority and responsibility (β = 0.643, p < 0.001) and TIC attitudes (β = 0.423, p < 0.001) were the strongest predictors of mental health nurses' perception of the trauma specialist nurse role, while trauma-related knowledge and skills showed only a marginal association (β = 0.059, p = 0.055). The model explained 78% of the variance. Conclusion: Mental health nurses' perception of the trauma specialist nurse role is more strongly associated with TIC attitudes and clear professional authority than with knowledge alone, highlighting the need for formal role definition and leadership support. Reporting Method: STROBE is the relevant reporting method that has been adhered to.