Skip to main content
Log in

Nurse–Patient Sexual Contact in Psychiatric Hospitals

  • Published:
Archives of Sexual Behavior Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Sexual contacts between nurses and patients in psychiatric hospitals have not been investigated systematically. The aim of the present study was to determine the frequency of nurse–patient sexual relationships and their prominent characteristics on the one hand and the nurses' attitudes towards these contacts on the other. A questionnaire was mailed to 714 nurses employed at two psychiatric hospitals. Although 94% of the 279 respondents considered sexual contact (defined as “physical contact between a patient and a nurse, in which sexual arousal occurred in the nurse”) to be inappropriate, 17% of the male and 11% of the female responding nurses reported having had such contacts with patients.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

REFERENCES

  • Apfel, R. F., and Simon, B. (1985). Patient–therapist sexual contact. 1. Psychodynamic perspectives on the cause and results. Psychother. Psychosom. 43: 57–62.

    Google Scholar 

  • Averill, S. C., Beale, D., Benfer, B., Collins, D. T., Kennedy, L., Myers, J. A., Pope, D., Rosen, I., and Zoble, E. (1989). Preventing staff–patient sexual relationships. Bull. Menn. Clin. 53: 384–393.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berland, D. I., and Guskin, K. (1994). Patient allegations of sexual abuse against psychiatric hospital staff. Gen. Hosp. Psych. 16: 335–339.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bernsen, A., Tabachnick, B. G., and Pope, K. S. (1994). National survey of social workers' sexual attraction to their clients: Results, implications and comparison to psychologists. Eth. Behav. 4(4): 369–388.

    Google Scholar 

  • Case, P. W., McMinn, M. R., and Meek, K. R. (1997). Sexual attraction and religious therapists: Survey findings and implications. Couns. Val. 41(2): 141–154.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dahlberg, C. C. (1970). Sexual contact between patient and therapist. Contemp. Psychoanal. 6: 107–124.

    Google Scholar 

  • Forer, B. (1980). The therapeutic relationship. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the California State Psychological Association. Pasadena, California.

  • Gartrell, N., Herman, J., Olarte, S., Feldstein, M., and Localio, R. (1986). Psychiatrist–patient contact: Results of a national survey, I: Prevalence. Am. J. Psych. 143(9): 1126–1131.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gechtman, L., and Bouhoutsos, J. C. (1985). Social workers' attitudes and practices regarding erotic and nonerotic physical contact with their clients. Paper presented at the Annual conference of the California Society for Clinical SocialWork, and the National Federation of Societies for Clinical Social Work, Universal City, CA.

  • Hankins, G. C., Vera, M. I., Barnard, G. W., and Herkov, M. J. (1994). Patient–therapist sexual involvement: A review of clinical and research data. Bull. Am. Acad. Psych. Law 22(1): 109–126.

    Google Scholar 

  • Henderson, V. (1977). Basic principles of nursing care. International Council of Nurses. Geneva.

    Google Scholar 

  • Herman, J. L., Gartrell, N., Olarte, S., Feldstein, M., and Localio, R. (1987). Psychiatrist–patient sexual contact: Results of a national survey, II: Psychiatrists' attitudes. Am. J. Psych. 144(1): 164–169.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoffman, R. M. (1995). Sexual dual relationships in counseling: Confronting the issues. Couns. Val. 40(1): 15–23.

    Google Scholar 

  • Holroyd, J. C., and Brodsky, A. N. (1977). Psychologist's attitudes and practices regarding erotic and nonerotic physical contact with patients. Amer. Psychol. 32(10): 843–849.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kardener, S. H., Fuller, M., and Mensh, I. N. (1973). A survey of physician's attitudes and practices regarding erotic and nonerotic contact with patients. Am. J. Psych. 130: 1077–1081.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kirstein, L. (1978). Sexual involvement with patients. J. Clin. Psychol. 39: 366–368.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leggett, A. (1994). A survey of Australian psychiatrists' attitudes and practices regarding physical contact with patients. Aust. NZ J. Psych. 28(3): 488–497.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moggi, F. (1991). Sexuelle Kindesmisshandlung: Definition, Pr¨avalenz und Folgen. Ein Ueberblick. Z. Klin. Psychol. Psychopath. Psychother. 39: 323–335.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moggi, F., and Brodbeck, J. (1997). Risk factors and consequences of sexual abuse in psychotherapy. Z. Klin. Psych. Forsch. Praxis 26(1): 50–57.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mueser, K. T., Goodman, L. B., Trumbetta, S. L., Rosenberg, S. D., Osher, F. C., Vidaver, R., Auciello, P., and Foy, D. W. (1998). Trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder in severe mental illness. J. Consult. Clin. Psych. 66(3): 493–499.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peters, S. D., Wyatt, G. E., and Finkelhor, D. (1986). Prevalence. In Finkelhor, D. (ed.), A Sourcebook on Child Sexual AbuseLondon, Sage, pp. 15–59.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pope, K. S. (1990). Therapist–patient sexual involvement: A review of the research. Clin. Psych. Rev. 10: 477–490.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pope, K. S. (1994). Sexual involvement with therapists: Patient assessment, subsequent therapy. Forensics. Washington DC: American Psychological Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pope, K. S., and Bouhoutsos, J. (1986). Sexual intimacy between therapists and patients. New York, Praeger.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pope, K. S.,Keith-Spiegel, P., and Tabachnick, B. G. (1986). Sexual attraction to clients. Amer. Psychol. 41(2): 147–158.

    Google Scholar 

  • Porter, E. (1986). Treating the young male victim of sexual assault: Issues and intervention strategies. Sater Society Press, Syracuse, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Read, J., and Fraser, A. (1998). Abuse histories of psychiatric inpatients: To ask or not to ask? Psych. Serv. 49(3): 355–359.

    Google Scholar 

  • Read, J. (1998). Child abuse and severity of disturbance among adult psychiatric inpatients. Child Abuse Neg. 22(5): 359–368.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schoener, G.R. (1989). Psychotherapists' sexual involvement with clients: Intervention and prevention. Minneapolis, Minnesota: Walk-In Counseling Center.

    Google Scholar 

  • Seto, M. C. (1995). Sex with therapy clients: Its prevalence, potential consequences, and implications for psychology training. Can. Psych. 36(1): 70–86.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shepard, M. (1971). The love treatment: Sexual intimacy between patients and psychotherapists. New York, Peter H. Wyden.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, S. (1989). The seduction of the female patient. In Gabbard, G. O. (ed.), Sexual Exploitation in Professional RelationshipAmerican Psychiatric Press, Washington, DC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thoreson, R.W., Shaughnessy, P., and Frazier, P.A. (1995). Sexual contact during and after professional relationships: Practices and attitudes of female counselors. J. Coun. Dev. 74(1): 84–89.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Einde Boas, C. (1966). Some reflections on sexual relations between physicians and patients. J. Sex Res. 2: 215–218.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wincze, J. P., Richards, J., Parsons, J., and Bailey, S. (1996). A comparative survey of therapist sexual misconduct between an American state and an Australian state. Prof. Psych. Res. Prac. 27(3): 289–294.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Bachmann, K.M., Bossi, J., Moggi, F. et al. Nurse–Patient Sexual Contact in Psychiatric Hospitals. Arch Sex Behav 29, 335–347 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1001914303435

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1001914303435

Navigation