Ward Atmosphere and Its Predictive Factors Among Psychiatric Nurses in Closed Psychiatric Wards: A Latent Profile Analysis.

introductionThe ward atmosphere in closed psychiatric wards significantly influences nurses' well-being and quality of care. However, the formation mechanisms of ward atmosphere perceptions remain underexplored, and previous research has largely overlooked individual heterogeneity in how nurses perceive different dimensions of the ward environment. This study aims to identify distinct profiles of ward atmosphere among psychiatric nurses in closed wards and examine the predictive effects of physical environmental factors and workplace violence on profile membership. MATERIALS AND

methodsThis quantitative, cross-sectional study adopted mixed nonprobability sampling combining purposive and convenience sampling and collected data via online questionnaires. A total of 1037 psychiatric nurses from 34 hospitals in China completed self-report questionnaires between July and August 2024. Ward atmosphere was measured using the Chinese-version Essen Climate Evaluation Schema. Physical environment characteristics were collected using a self-developed questionnaire. Workplace violence was measured using the Workplace Violence Scale. Latent profile analysis was conducted using Mplus 8.3 to identify distinct ward atmosphere profiles. Multinomial logistic regression (R3STEP) was used to examine predictors of profile membership. All respondents provided electronic informed consent, and the study was approved by the institutional ethics committee.

resultsThree distinct profiles of ward atmosphere were identified: "Triple-High group" (10.8%), "Safety-Deficient group" (77.1%), and "Support-Depleted group" (12.1%). Compared with nurses in the Triple-High group, those in the Safety-Deficient and Support-Depleted groups reported poorer ventilation, smaller ward size, less adequate safety measures, more frequent workplace violence, and higher rates of permission for smartphone use. Greenery, video surveillance, tidiness, and larger ward size differentiated the Safety-Deficient group from the Support-Depleted group.

conclusionPsychiatric nurses' perceptions of ward atmosphere are heterogeneous, with the majority experiencing safety deficits. Both physical environmental features and exposure to workplace violence are important predictors of these perceptions. Hospital administrators should implement targeted modifications to the physical environment of the wards and reduce workplace violence to enhance the ward atmosphere. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Nursing managers should acknowledge the heterogeneity in nurses' perceptions of ward atmosphere. Targeted improvements to ward physical environments-such as enlarging ward space, enhancing ventilation, and upgrading safety facilities-are recommended. Effective strategies should also be developed to mitigate workplace violence in closed psychiatric wards. Simple, low-cost environmental adjustments may improve ward atmosphere, potentially alleviate psychological stress, and further contribute to nurse well-being and retention.