The phenomenon of resilience as described by adults who have experienced mental illness

Karen‐Leigh Edward · Anthony Welch · Keri Chater

120 citations0/0 files storedJournal of Advanced Nursing

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Resilience and Mental Health Mental Health and Patient Involvement Optimism, Hope, and Well-being

Abstract

AIM: This paper is a report of a study to explore the phenomenon of resilience in the lives of adult patients of mental health services who have experienced mental illness. BACKGROUND: Mental illness is a major health concern worldwide, and the majority experiencing it will continue to battle with relapses throughout their lives. However, in many instances people go on to overcome their illness to lead productive and socially engaged lives. Contemporary mental health nursing practice primarily focuses on symptom reduction, and working with resilience has not generally been a consideration. METHOD: A descriptive phenomenological study was carried out in 2006. One participant was recruited through advertisements in community newspapers and newsletters and the others using the snowballing method. Information was gathered through in-depth individual interviews which were tape-recorded and subsequently transcribed. Colaizzi's original seven-step approach was used for data analysis, with the inclusion of two additional steps. FINDINGS: The following themes were identified: Universality, Acceptance, Naming and knowing, Faith, Hope, Being the fool and Striking a balance, Having meaning and meaningful relationships, and 'Just doing it'. The conceptualization identified as encapsulating the themes was 'Viewing life from the ridge with eyes wide open', which involved knowing the risks and dangers ahead and making a decision for life amid ever-present hardships. CONCLUSION: Knowledge about resilience should be included in the theoretical and practical education of nursing students and experienced nurses. Early intervention, based on resilience factors identified through screening processes, is needed for people with mental illness.

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References

2004Psychobiological Mechanisms of Resilience and Vulnerability: Implications for Successful Adaptation to Extreme Stress 1991Resiliency and Vulnerability to Adverse Developmental Outcomes Associated With Poverty 1993Risk, resilience, and recovery: Perspectives from the Kauai Longitudinal Study 1993Children in Poverty: Resilience Despite Risk 2004Resilience 1993Methodological and Conceptual Issues in Research on Childhood Resilience 2004Qualitative research sampling: the very real complexities 2006Developing an Agenda for Translational Studies of Resilience and Vulnerability Following Trauma Exposure

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