Sex on show. Issues of privacy and dignity in a Forensic mental health hospital: Nurse and patient views

Abstract

Patients in forensic hospitals are sexually active and seek support from nurses. Nurses are in an ideal role to recognise the important part they can play in supporting the intimacy and sexual relationship needs of patients. Strategies to assist in developing confidence in responding to normal human behaviour is a matter of priority.

‘It's just a peripheral issue’: A qualitative analysis of mental health clinicians’ accounts of (not) addressing sexuality in their work

“…, p. 92). Clinician‐based research reflects this, consistently demonstrating, for example that mental health nurses avoid discussing or addressing sexuality across settings (Quinn & Happell ; Quinn et al . ), do not routinely include aspects of sexuality in their work (Quinn et al .…”

“…The National practice standards for the mental health workforce (Australian Government, 2013) espouses multidisciplinary services that are holistic, person-centred, and recovery-oriented. This indicates the need to support individuals' sexuality, intimacy, and relationship needs as they are relevant to and valued by the individual (Australian Government, 2013;Deegan 1999;Quinn & Happell 2015;Tennille & Wright 2013). Despite this, the sexuality-related needs of individuals experiencing mental distress and illness continue to be inadequately addressed across a range of mental health settings (Deegan 1999;McCann et al 2019;Quinn & Browne 2009;Volman & Landeen 2007).…”

First-person narratives around sexuality in residential healthcare settings: a meta-ethnographic synthesis

“…Two papers by the same authors were based upon the same research data (Quinn & Happell, 2015a, 2015b. Participants' ages ranged from 18-101, although two papers did not specify the age range of participants beyond citing the average age (80 years; Frankowski & Clark, Figure 1 2009) or age bracket (50-60 and 70+ years, Nay, 1992).…”

“…(Bauer et al, 2013, p.303) the lack of opportunity for a partner (Frankowski & Clark, 2009;Nay, 1992), and a general discourse about how residential healthcare settings inhibited sexuality: (Quinn & Happell, 2015b, p.2272.…”

“…Some spoke about the potential to be punished for expressing their sexuality within the residential healthcare setting: (Quinn & Happell, 2015b, p.2272.…”