The Effect of Forum Theater on Nursing Students' Attitudes Toward Forensic Psychiatric Patients.
TL;DR
Forum theater is an effective educational method for reducing stigmatising attitudes towards forensic psychiatric patients among nursing students, and for promoting more accepting attitudes within community-based mental health services.
Abstract
Aim
To evaluate the impact of forum theater on nursing students' attitudes towards forensic psychiatric patients.
Methods
Using a quasi-experimental, single-group, pretest/posttest design, twenty-five nursing students enrolled during the 2025-2026 academic year participated. Data were collected using a personal information form and an attitude scale for health care professionals towards forensic psychiatric patients. As part of the intervention, a three-hour forum theater-based educational programme was implemented. Pretest and posttest scores were analysed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test.
Results
After the forum theater intervention, a statistically significant increase was observed in participants' total attitude scores (p < 0.001). While significant increases were found in the Social Distance and Dangerousness subscale scores (p < 0.05), no significant changes were observed in the Willingness to Provide Care and Trust subscales (p > 0.05).
Discussion
Forum theater is an effective educational method for reducing stigmatising attitudes towards forensic psychiatric patients among nursing students, and for promoting more accepting attitudes. From a public health nursing perspective, such experiential and participatory educational approaches are considered to be a significant means of combatting stigma within community-based mental health services.