Unfulfilled expectations: a narrative study of individuals’ experiences of being a patient on an acute psychiatric inpatient ward in Scotland
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Date
2009Author
Stenhouse, Rosemary Clare
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Abstract
This study examines people’s experiences of being a patient on an acute psychiatric
inpatient ward in Scotland. Within the existing research base few studies focus on the
patient’s experience of acute psychiatric inpatient care, and none of these is set in
Scotland. Those that do, indicate that the patient experience of acute psychiatric
inpatient care is often negative.
The theoretical perspective of this study conceptualises experience as represented in
narrative form, thus the data take the form of narratives. Thirteen participants were
recruited through the acute ward. Each participant participated in two unstructured
interviews focussed on gathering narratives of their experience. Data analysis was
holistic, guided by Gee’s (1991) socio-linguistic theories. This holistic analysis
culminated in the presentation of each participant’s narrative in poetic form.
From the holistic analysis I identified three themes - help, safety and power - that
were evident in the analyses of all participants’ interviews. The theme of help
represents participants’ expectations that they will receive help on the ward, and their
experiences of trying to get this help. Safety represents participants’ expectations
pertaining to the ward’s function in keeping them safe, their experience of threat and
strategies to keep safe. The theme of power represents participants’ experiences of
power relations within the acute ward. I conclude that participants’ experiences of
being a patient on the ward are characterised by feelings of frustration, concerns about
safety, and the perceived need to focus on self-presentation as they attempt to reach
their desired goal of discharge.