An exploration of the experiences of being involved with psychiatric services and psychiatric admission for individuals with psychosis: an interpretative phenomenological analysis

Asghar, Ifaf Homayra (2008) An exploration of the experiences of being involved with psychiatric services and psychiatric admission for individuals with psychosis: an interpretative phenomenological analysis. D Clin Psy thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

Background: It has been found that patients have expressed favourable attitudes towards hospital settings (Weinstein, 1979) but more recently, evidence from service user feedback has indicated the experience of psychiatric admission can be felt to be neither safe nor therapeutic (Department of Health, 2002). There has been lack of qualitative research exploring individuals’ experiences of psychiatric admission in the context of acute psychosis.

Aims: The aim of this study was to explore the experience and perceptions of psychiatric admission for individuals with psychosis using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis.

Method: Five participants with psychosis who were currently admitted to a psychiatric ward were interviewed using a semi-structured interview.

Results: Three super ordinate themes emerged, which were labelled: “I feel like a, a prisoner in here…”, “‘..my life is in their hands..” and “There is an awful lot of stigma put on mental health patients...”

Conclusions: The emergent themes suggested individuals felt imprisoned, disempowered and experienced a sense of loss due to their admission but also due to their experiences of psychosis. This was also accompanied by a lack of awareness and understanding from others, which resulted in feelings of stigma but acceptance within hospital. The themes are discussed in relation to previous research and current Government and National Health Service (NHS) initiatives.

Declaration of interest: None

• Item Type: Thesis (D Clin Psy)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Additional Information: Volume 1 only available. Volume 2 not to be made available online
• Keywords: psychiatric admission, psychosis, qualitative research, Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis
• Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
• Colleges/Schools: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing
• Supervisor's Name: Gumley, Professor Andrew
• Date of Award: 2008
• Depositing User: Miss Ifaf H Asghar
• Unique ID: glathesis:2008-450
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 16 Oct 2009
• Last Modified: 10 Dec 2012 13:18
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/450