Study of Communication Skills among Psychiatric Nurses in Psychiatric Care Units

Abstract

Objective: Assessing the level of communication skills among nurses working in psychiatric care units and to determine their association with selected sociodemographic variables

Study Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study
Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Ibn Al-Rushd and Al-Rashaad Teaching Psychiatric Hospitals in Baghdad Governorate, Iraq, from 15th December 2025 to 30th April 2026.

Methods: A total of 134 nurses were selected and among them 12 nurses participated in the pilot study and122 nurses were included in the main study sample.

Results: Majority of nurses demonstrated a low level of communication skills 57.4%, while 31.1% demonstrated a moderate level, and only 11.5% demonstrated a high level. Statistically significant (p<0.05) relationships were also found between communication skills and age, educational level, years of experience and participation in training programs. No significant differences (P>0.05) were observed in relation to gender, place of residence and marital status.

Conclusion: Most psychiatric nurses lack adequate communication skills, which can negatively impact patient care and therapeutic relationships. Improving these skills is essential to enhancing the quality of psychiatric nursing practice.