Abstract
M.Cur. (Psychiatric Nursing)
The purpose of this study was to explore the experiential world of the chronic
psychiatric patient In a rehabilitation centro and to sot guidelines for the psychiatric
nurso to utilize the principles of restoration of merital health.
Various stumbling blocks In the recovery process of chronic psychiatric patients
were noticed in a rehabilitation centre. The centre Is highly structured and
democratic decision making does not always transpire. The external environment
Is In a residential area characterised by violence.
The question arising, was to what degree the chronic psychiatric patient's
experience of his/herworld In the rehabilitation centre, can contribute towards the
mobilization of resources In order to facilitate the restoration of mental health of
the chronic psychiatric patient and reintegration Into society.
The approach followed, was that of the Nursing Whole Person Theory. With this
theory as basis, the chronic psychiatric patient Is viewed as a whole In Interaction
with his/her Internaland external environment In his/her questfor mental health as
Integral part of wholeness.
An exploratory and descriptive qualitative study, contextual of nature, was used
as research design. The method for research was phenomenological, semi·
structured interviews with chronic psychiatric patients In a rehabilitation centre.
The participants In this study were selected In a purposive and non-selective
manner.
Botes' Model for Nursing Research was used to structure the research of this
study. Measures used for reliability and validity, were that of Woods and
Catanzaro.
The central question "How do you experience living In this rehabilitation centre?"
was asked. Similar studies were Investigated In order to ascertain similarities and
unique aspects of this study.
Categories of experience within the unit of assessment and diagnosis from the
Nursing for the Whole Person Theory, Indicated both stumbling blocks and
facilitating elements.
Stumbling blocks In chronic psychiatric patients' (In a rehabilitation centre) quest
for wholeness were experiences of avoidance, frustration, anxiety, lack of
motivation, Inability to maintain longstanding relationships and dispute.