Same diagnosis, different lives . A qualitative study of adults with severe mental illness, in treatment and education
Original version
Lauveng, A., Tveiten, S., Ekeland, T.-J. & Ruud, T. (2015). Same diagnosis, different lives . A qualitative study of adults with severe mental illness, in treatment and education. Psychosis, 7(4), 336-347. doi: 10.1080/17522439.2015.1024715 http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17522439.2015.1024715Abstract
This study focuses on how adults diagnosed with severe and persistent mental
illnesses experience their lives and relationships and their own engagement in
these relations in two different environmental conditions. Participants include 14
patients in psychiatric treatment in Norway and 15 students at schools for adults
with mental illnesses in Denmark. All participants were diagnosed with severe
mental disorders persisting for a minimum of two years and with pronounced
impact on daily living. Data were collected through qualitative interviews on two
occasions 6–8 months apart for most participants. The findings and interpretations
showed that the two groups of informants described their lives quite differently.
Patients described a focus on receiving treatment for their disease, few stable and
mutual relations, and a generally low quality of life, whereas students described a
focus on social relations, interests and personal growth. Students also described a
higher quality of life, little loneliness and greater satisfaction with life. This
suggests that the main problem for many patients struggling with persistent and
severe mental illness might not be the illness itself, but a lack of environmental
conditions supporting personal development