This thesis explores the experience of parenting with severe mental illness, using qualitative methodologies. It is presented in three parts: a literature review, a report of the empirical research, and a critical reflection of the process undertaken. The literature review provides both a systematic review of qualitative studies exploring the experience of parenting with a severe mental illness (SMI), and a meta-synthesis of the findings from the included studies. The findings demonstrated six overarching themes that were central to the parents' experience. The themes were interlinked and often conflictual in nature and a model of the relationship between the themes is provided. The synthesis revealed how the additional and conflicting pressures faced by parents with SMI can interact with their symptoms to affect parenting behaviours and decisions about engagement with services. The model of themes elicited by the synthesis provides a broad conceptual framework in which parenting with SMI can be considered across the age range of children, parental symptoms and parenting roles. The empirical research provides a specific focus on the views and experiences of parents with Bipolar Disorder (BD). Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was used to explore the lived experience of parenting with BD, to provide insight into the parents' perspective and the influence that this may have on outcomes for parents as well as their children. The analysis resulted in six overarching themes, each of which consisted of a number of sub-themes. There were important interactions between the themes and these are illustrated for the reader. It was found that the parents identified a number of challenges in being a parent with BD and experienced feelings of inadequacy, guilt and worry relating to the impact that their illness had on their children and family. Strategies for managing these feelings and limiting the impact of BD could have an inadvertent negative effect on their own well-being, and that of their child. Learning to accept their diagnosis and developing strategies for managing their symptoms were crucial for positive parenting, although the changing needs of their children often presented new challenges. Contextual factors, including the stigma associated with mental illness, could also either mediate or exacerbate the challenge of parenting with BD. The clinical implications of these findings are discussed. The critical reflection provides a consideration of qualitative methodologies and a personal reflection on the qualitative process in relation to the empirical research. It details the critical debates around qualitative methodology, the application of qualitative methodologies, and the challenges this presented for the researcher. The report was written on completion of the investigation and reflects the process by which, as a novice, the author was able to develop an understanding of qualitative methodology and carry out an insightful piece of research.

Introduction: Severe mental illness (SMI), Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and hazardous alcohol use are global epidemics. Each condition is independently associated with significant adverse health outcomes. The presence of two or more of these conditions in one individual may result in worse health outcomes. A key mediator of poor health outcomes are factors such as medication adherence. In resource-limited countries like South Africa, the impact of psycho-social factors may contribute further to worse health outcomes. These factors include poverty and unemployment; as well as gender. In South Africa, proportionately more women are infected with HIV than men; and they are also vulnerable to the problems of trauma and interpersonal violence. The main aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of a triple co-morbidity of SMI, HIV infection and hazardous alcohol use in a female population at a community psychiatric clinic in Cape Town South Africa; and the impact of this triple comorbidity on medication adherence. Furthermore, we set out to identify demographic and clinical variables that are predictors of poor adherence to both psychotropic medication and ART where applicable. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of female patients presenting to Gugulethu psychiatric clinic over a ten-month period. Demographics and clinical variables were explored using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT); the adapted Morisky Scale to Assess Adherence to Psychotropic Medications; and an adherence to HIV antiretroviral treatment self-assessment instrument. A descriptive analysis of the demographic and predictor variables was undertaken to explore the prevalence of concurrent HIV infection and hazardous alcohol use in out-patients with SMI; as well as to investigate whether co-morbidity is associated with poor levels of adherence to psychotropic medication, as well as antiretroviral treatment (ART) in HIV positive patients. Results: We interviewed 127 patients, of whom 55 were HIV positive (43.3%). The overall prevalence of a triple comorbidity in this population was 7.9%. Only 20% within this triple comorbidity group were adherent to their psychotropic medication. Out of the 10 participants with a triple comorbidity, only five were on ART. Of these 5 participants, only two were adherent. Individuals with hazardous alcohol use were less adherent to psychotropic medication compared to those without. The seven respondents in the dual diagnosis group (SMI and hazardous alcohol use) had the lowest overall psychotropic adherence levels compared to the other subgroups (0%). Furthermore, concurrent hazardous alcohol use predicted poorer levels of compliance to ART for those with HIV infection. Conclusion: The presence of a triple diagnosis was not found to be a predictor of poorer medication adherence, compared to having one or two diagnoses. Nevertheless, there was evidence that concurrent hazardous drinking in SMI patients predicted poor compliance to both psychotropic and ART treatment regimens (for those living with HIV). These patients should be supported in future interventions to improve medication adherence and reduce hazardous drinking.

Magister Curationis / Undiagnosed and untreated medical illnesses are more predominant in patients with mental illnesses, compared to the general population. Concerns have risen about the observed lack of regular screening for Metabolic Syndrome potentially increasing the prevalence rate of the disease especially in young adolescents on anti-psychotics. Recognizing the recurrent co-morbidity between mental and physical health conditions, specific commendations addressing the physical conditions causing the increased morbidity and mortality of people with severe mental illness are needed. In some instances, treatment recommendations for the general population may need to be modified for people with SMI.

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Yes / Objective Medication arrangements for patients with severe mental illness (SMI), including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, can be complex. Some have shared care between primary and secondary services while others have little specialist input. This study investigated the contribution a specialist mental health clinical pharmacy team could make to medicines optimisation for patients on the SMI register in primary care. Research shows that specialist mental health pharmacists improve care in inpatient settings. However, little is known about their potential impact in primary care. Method Five general practice surgeries were allocated half a day per week of a specialist pharmacist and technician for 12 months. The technician reviewed primary and secondary care records for discrepancies. Records were audited for high-dose or multiple antipsychotics, physical health monitoring and adherence. Issues were referred to the pharmacist for review. Surgery staff were encouraged to refer psychotropic medication queries to the team. Interventions were recorded and graded. Results 316/472 patients on the SMI register were prescribed antipsychotics or mood stabilisers. 23 (7%) records were updated with missing clozapine and depot information. Interventions by the pharmacist included clarifying discharge information (12/104), reviewing high-dose and multiple antipsychotic prescribing (18/104), correcting errors (10/104), investigating adherence issues (16/104), following up missing health checks (22/104) and answering queries from surgery staff (23/104). Five out of six interventions possibly preventing hospital admission were for referral of non-adherent patients. Conclusion The pharmacy team found a variety of issues including incomplete medicines reconciliation, adherence issues, poor communication, drug errors and the need for specialist advice. The expertise of the team enabled timely resolution of issues and bridges were built between primary and secondary care.

Självstigma hos personer med allvarlig psykisk störning behöver undersökas med tanke på att den psykiska ohälsan ökar. Syftet med studien var att undersöka hur självstigma påverkat individer med allvarlig psykisk störning. Studien utfördes som en litteraturstudie och resultatet utgjordes av tre kategorier: Att bli sin diagnos, Att känna skam och Att känna hopplöshet. Självstigma påverkar personer med allvarlig psykisk störning genom att försvåra förutsättningarna till återhämtning. Kombinationen av en allvarlig psykisk störning och självstigma skapar negativa konsekvenser utifrån individens egna stereotypa och fördomsfulla föreställningar. Individerna har svårt att känna mening med livet och undviker att söka hjälp på grund av skam och hopplöshet. Detta i sin tur kan leda till förvärrade symptom och ökat lidande. Sjuksköterskan behöver därför vara medveten kring problematiken med självstigma och vara observant kring individens egna fördomar, skamkänslor och känsla av hopplöshet kring sin diagnos. Det är av vikt att skapa förutsättningar för empowerment i vårdsituationen. Interventioner och omvårdnad bör ha som målsättning att minska symptomen av självstigma hos individer med allvarlig psykisk störning. Interventioner torde kunna utformas, men behöver anpassas utifrån vilket samhälle som vården utförs i. Det finns begränsningar i aktuell forskning och fler studier där självstigma som fenomen belyses vore önskvärt, liksom longitudinella studier för att ge en djupare förståelse. / Severe mental illness is a growing health problem. Severe mental illness and self-stigma in combination needs to be examined to clarify what impact they have in combination for each individual. The purpose of this study was to examine what kind of impact self-stigma has to individuals with severe mental illness. The study was conducted as a literature review and the results consisted of three categories: Becoming ones illness Feeling of shame and Feeling of hopelessness. Self-stigma affects the individuals negatively and makes it harder for them to recover. The combination of severe mental illness and self-stigma creates negative consequences from the stereotypical and jaundiced. Individuals have problems with finding meaning of life and are reluctant to seek treatment for their symptoms because of the feeling of shame and hopelessness. In return the symptoms of the mental illness increases and provides more suffering and decreases the meaning of life. It is important that nurses are aware of and are mindful to the individuals prejudice, feelings of shame and hopelessness about their mental illness. Nurses need to make sure that it is possible to be empowered as a patient. Interventions and nursing that aim to reduce the symptoms of self-stigma in severe mental illness should be adapted to the prejudice of the society. More scientific research is needed because of the limited number of present studies concerning self-stigma. There is a need to further investigate self-stigma in severe mental illness. Preferably studies with longitudinal design that focus on the phenomenon self-stigma and how it affects people with severe mental illness, to give a greater understanding.

<p>Background: During the last decades patient satisfaction has become an important measurement of quality in psychiatric care. However the patients are seldom asked to evaluate the treatments.</p><p>Objectives: The aim is to determine which factors the outpatients regard as beneficial in their psychiatric treatment. The purpose is explorative. During the study another purpose developed; to present research on the importance of the relationship between the caretaker and the caregiver for the outcome.</p><p>Method: 30 persons were interviewed about what they found helpful in psychiatric treatment. The interviews were open using Grounded Theory as methodological input.</p><p>Result: The most prominent topic was the quality of the relationship between the caregiver and the caretaker. The characteristics of a helping relationship seem to be when the patient:</p><p>- is being listened to and understood by a caregiver who is interested and concerned.</p><p>- is not only seen as a caretaker with problems but also as a complete person, someone more than an equation of symptoms, diagnoses and shortcomings</p><p>- is seen as a person worth listening to with unique knowledge which matters to the caregiver</p><p>- is seen as a unique person not possible to minimize to just another case</p>

Background: During the last decades patient satisfaction has become an important measurement of quality in psychiatric care. However the patients are seldom asked to evaluate the treatments. Objectives: The aim is to determine which factors the outpatients regard as beneficial in their psychiatric treatment. The purpose is explorative. During the study another purpose developed; to present research on the importance of the relationship between the caretaker and the caregiver for the outcome. Method: 30 persons were interviewed about what they found helpful in psychiatric treatment. The interviews were open using Grounded Theory as methodological input. Result: The most prominent topic was the quality of the relationship between the caregiver and the caretaker. The characteristics of a helping relationship seem to be when the patient: - is being listened to and understood by a caregiver who is interested and concerned. - is not only seen as a caretaker with problems but also as a complete person, someone more than an equation of symptoms, diagnoses and shortcomings - is seen as a person worth listening to with unique knowledge which matters to the caregiver - is seen as a unique person not possible to minimize to just another case

The relationship to professionals has proved to be a helping factor for personswith severe mental illness, but it is also a relationship characterised by anunbalanced power relation. The aim of this study was to compile and analyze theknowledge of what persons with severe mental illness themselves consider to behelping in the relationship to professionals, and to specifically analyse this from apower perspective. The analysis was conducted using Foucault’s ideas of powerand knowledge, and an empowerment perspective. The method used was anarrative review. Fourteen relevant studies were included, in which fouroverarching themes were identified; building the basis for helping, workingtogether, more than a consumer and the professional role. The institutionalisedknowledge regarding the consumers, their problems and in which way thisrelationship is helping, was understood as an integral part of the power within therelationship. To share power by looking beyond this knowledge, going beyond theinstitutionalised way of helping and instead taking the consumer’s view intoaccount, was seen as helping. This knowledge calls for professionals to, inambition to helping individuals with severe mental illness, be open to the variousdifferent ways of doing so.