The Spanish version of the Psychiatric/Mental health clinical placement survey and an assessment of Spanish student attitudes towards mental health.

WHAT IS KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT?: The Psychiatric/Mental Health Clinical Placement Survey preplacement, validated in English and widely used, assesses nursing student attitudes towards the mental health field. There are no validated scales in Spanish to assess students' attitudes towards mental health, nor is there evidence of attitudes in Spanish students. WHAT DOES THIS ARTICLE ADD TO EXISTING KNOWLEDGE?: The present study was the first to address the validity of a scale which evaluates nursing student attitudes towards mental health issues, in Spanish. Until now, no knowledge was available on nursing student attitudes towards mental health issues in the Spanish context. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE?: The results provide faculty professors with a validated tool to use to assess attitudinal changes in students, following theoretical and practical training in mental health. To have an up-to-date perspective on student attitudes towards both the field of mental health and people with severe mental illness, thereby providing the opportunity to focus on those aspects requiring improvement. Abstract Introduction The encouragement of positive attitudes towards mental health is necessary in order to improve the quality of healthcare assistance. The attitudes of nursing students towards mental health are unknown, and there are no validated scales for their assessment. Aims To adapt the Psychiatric/Mental Health Clinical Placement Survey (PMHCPS) to Spanish and examine its psychometric properties; to describe the attitudes of nursing students towards the mental health field. Method Confirmatory factorial analysis (CFA), internal consistency and construct validity were performed. An assessment of the students' attitudes was also conducted. Results The CFA showed appropriate fit, and total internal consistency was adequate. With regard to construct validity, knowledge was associated with practicum mark. The students achieved above mid-range scores for all subscales, except negative stereotypes. Gender differences were observed. Discussion The PMHCPS, translated to Spanish, enables the students' attitude towards the mental health field to be assessed, thus identifying those areas of student attitudes and competencies requiring improvement. Implications for practice To provide Spanish nursing faculties with access to a scale, with which to assess changes in student attitudes. The assessment results may then be utilized to formulate teaching methods in order to improve the quality of health care the students might provide as future nursing professionals.