Abstract
D.Cur. (Psychiatric Nursing Science)
The aim of the research was to generate a psychiatric nursing approach for adolescents
experiencing mental health problems. Understanding by the psychiatric nurse of all the
dimensions of the experience world of the adolescent with mental health problems. can
contribute to the development of a psychiatric nursing approach. The psychiatric nurse in an
adolescent unit can operationalise the guidelines of such an approach in order to rcalise hope
and the quest for wholeness with the adolescent with mental health problems.
Nowadays high expectations are put to the adolescent. The adolescent is confronted with
prescriptions and expectations by a complex society. The psychiatric nurses in an adolescent
unit of a private psychiatric hospital often experienced feelings of confusion. discouragement
and frustration. That which they wanted the adolescent to achieve while in the unit.
determined what kind of treatment he received. The psychiatric nurse has accepted the
responsibility for the adolescent' s quest for wholeness (well-being) and for the changes that
could be effected therapeutically. In addition the frame of reference of workbooks and
thought books. programmes for adolescents with mental health problems. the desires of
parents and the theories and models for adolescent development are used as the frame of
reference for treatment. This deprives the adolescent with mental health problems of his
expert role as the author and rewriter of his life-story. as well as of the own responsibility
for the quest for wholeness and maturity.
The researchercame to the conclusion that the adolescent with mental health problems should
himself, on the one hand. give the main input in the establishment of programmes in an
adolescent unit in a psychiatric hospital and on the other hand. for the writing and rewriting
of his own life-story. If the psychiatric nurse wishes to obtain more knowledge and
understanding of the experience world of the adolescent with mental health problems, she
can, from the frame of reference of the adolescent himself, facilitate hope and the quest for
wholeness in order to restore, maintain and promote mental health...