Investigating the impact of a psychoanalytic nursing development group within an adolescent psychiatric intensive care unit (PICU)

ObjectiveTo evaluate the impact of an adapted psychoanalytic work discussion group for mental health nurses working in adolescent PICU.BackgroundThere is no prior research investigating interventions that effectively support and enable adolescent PICU nursing teams to sustain the therapeutic tasks of their work and their own sense of wellbeing.MethodsA bespoke psychoanalytic work discussion group was implemented within an adolescent PICU. Data was collected using in-depth semi-structured interviews with participants, about the impact of the group upon their practice. Data analysis used thematic analysis.ResultsThe group positively impacted upon participant knowledge and understanding, emotion management, personal efficacy, therapeutic relationship building, managing challenging behaviour, leadership, professional identity and team cohesion.ConclusionMechanisms by which these outcomes were achieved are elaborated utilising the concepts of projective identification, emotional containment and ‘temporary outsider-ship’. There is a need to account for the interplay between adolescent defense mechanisms, nursing anxieties and setting-specific organisational dynamics, in the design of effective support interventions for adolescent mental health nurses.