This descriptive investigation explores experimentation of the disease in 15 schizophrenic patients from the perspective of the patients themselves through semistructured interviews. The most significan! testimonies were the attribution of the disease to a lack of orientation from the parents, the perception of difficulties in learning and attention abilities in class and the scarce and conflictive interpersonal relationships. Having an occupation, psychological support and stability in their Ji ves were mentioned as aspects that contribute to significan! improvement. Feelings like fear, depression, lack of peace among others are inherent aspects of the disease. In our opinion listening to the patient helps to better understand the experiencing of schizophrenia. / La presente es una investigación de nivel descriptivo que explora la experiencia de la enfermedaden quince pacientes esquizofrénicos desde su propia perspectiva mediante una entrevista semiestructurada. Los testimonios más significativos fueron la atribución de la enfermedad a la falta de orientación por parte de los padres; la percepción de dificultades en las capacidades deaprendizaje y atención desde la etapa escolar, y las conflictivas y escasas relaciones interpersonales.El tener una ocupación, la ayuda psicológica y el gozar de tranquilidad fueron señaladoscomo aspectos que contribuirían a una mejoría. Sentimientos como el miedo, la depresión, la intranquilidad, entre otros son aspectos inherentes a la vivencia de la enfermedad y creemos que prestarles atención ayuda a comprender mejor la experiencia de la esquizofrenia.

Abstract Existing healthcare treatments and services for people living with serious mental illness pose a challenge for both the service provider and the recipient of care. While recovery oriented care is a priority, many healthcare practices and contextual factors pose a barrier to recovery. This study augments our awareness of the authentic lifeworld of people living with serious mental illness with the aim of gaining insights that can be used to develop healthcare practices which support recovery. This study explored the subjective experiences of people living with SMI as they expressed them through co-creative songwriting. Through a hermeneutic phenomenological analysis based in the philosophical groundwork of Heidegger and Gadamer, a thematic representation of the lifeworld of people living with SMI was developed. The findings are described in three parts: becoming broken, becoming whole and experiencing the lifeworld as transformed. Becoming broken is explored in four themes including fragmented inner and outer worlds, pain, despair and suicide. Becoming whole is achieved through catalysts of change that include connection, the sacred, beauty, and resilience. This representation is depicted using a tapestry metaphor to picture the lifeworld as torn, mended and transformed. The findings demonstrate that transformation is a spiritual process. Additionally the potential impact of the study on stigma and perceptions of mental illness is discussed. The findings are considered within the framework of Antonovsky’s theory of salutogensis. A resulting salutogenic model of mental illness and mental health as transformation is proposed. The implications for theory, research and practice are discussed in relation to the areas of recovery, salutogenesis, positive psychology and spirituality. The study recommends greater inclusion of spirituality, creative processes, and a focus on positive psychology as underutilized resources to enhance healthcare for people living with SMI. / Dissertation / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)