Nursing staff attitudes toward family involvement in the care of psychiatric inpatients

Background: Historically, families were excluded from psychiatric inpatient care due to misconceptions about their role in illness development. However, contemporary views recognize families as essential support systems that enhance treatment outcomes. Despite this, practical implementation of family involvement remains inconsistent, with many families reporting minimal interaction with nursing staff. Objectives: This study explored psychiatric nursing staff attitudes toward family involvement in treating hospitalized patients with mental disorders in Israel, a previously unexamined area. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted using thematic and content analysis for methodological triangulation. Semi-structured interviews were held with 32 psychiatric nurses (20 female, 12 male) from four northern Israeli medical centers. Participants, aged 29–54 (mean = 39.6), had an average of 13.34 years of experience. Interviews, lasting approximately 90 min, followed Braun and Clarke's six-step framework to assess perspectives on family involvement. Results: Attitudes varied based on personal experience, training, and institutional influences. Resistance was linked to workload concerns and limited awareness of benefits. Conclusion: Increasing awareness and training on family involvement could enhance its implementation in psychiatric settings, improving patient care and family satisfaction.