This paper is written in the field of Educational Science, and it focuses on literature that pupils read. Literature has the power to shape readers beliefs, that is why this paper aims to examine, and compare two novels that are used in Swedish schools in class settings. Both novels deal with the issue of psychiatric disorder from a woman´s perspective. Research done in the field of psychiatric disorder shows that it is an important subject that should be addressed in schools. Research done from the perspective of gender studies points out the need of representation of female perspective in literature that pupils are working with. This is so that equality between men and women can increase in society. From an intercultural point of view it is important for people suffering from psychiatric disorder to be represented in literature. This is so that social justice can increase in society, which it does when more and more categories of people are given representation. Pupils that uphold prejudice thoughts about psychiatric disorder, or about people suffering from psychiatric disorder, can through reading and discussing about the phenomenon, change their stereotypical way of thinking. Research done in the field of reading shows that reading literature, and then discussing it, can change the way people think. More exactly the paper looks at how the novels describe psychiatric disorder, and if prejudice surrounding psychiatric disorder is reproduced, or questioned in the novels, and if so, in what way. The paper looks also at how the novels describe the woman suffering from psychiatric disorder, and how gender affects her. The examination is done through the method of close reading, and by applying the theory of interculturality, defined by Pirjo Lahdenperä, and the theory of gender, defined by Yvonne Hirdman, to the reading. The examination reveales that both novels describe psychiatric disorder in a prejudiced way, as something rare, and totally life changing. And, both novels describe women in a prejudiced way, as fragile, and their psychiatric disorders are explained to be caused by their weakness. The attitude towards psychiatric disorder differs between the novels. One of the novels is more accepting in it´s language when it comes to psychiatric disorder, while the other novel is merely tolerant in it´s language.

The media is an important information source regarding psychiatric nursing care. There has been limited English language research that has specifically explored the nurse-patient relationships that were depicted in film between psychiatric nurses and the people for whom they cared. Using an interpretive visual inquiry method, fifteen films were selected and analyzed using a relational ethics framework. The films were: Cosi (Joffe, 1996), Frances (Clifford, 1982), Girl, Interrupted (Mangold, 1999), Gothika (Kassovitz, 2003), Harvey (Koster, 1950), High Anxiety (Brooks, 1977), One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (Forman, 1975), Persona (Bergman, 1966), Snake Pit (Litvak, 1948), Terminator 2: Judgement Day (Cameron, 1991), The Caretakers (Bartlett, 1963), The Cobweb (Minnelli, 1955), The Jacket (Maybury, 2005), The Sleep Room (Wheeler, 1998), and Titicut Follies (Wiseman, 1967). The roles of the nurses were described using Peplau’s (1952/1988) role descriptions. These included the roles of stranger, resource person, teacher, leader, surrogate, counsellor, consultant, tutor, safety agent, mediator, administrator, recorder, observer, and researcher. Exemplars were drawn from the films to discuss each of the following relational ethics themes: mutual respect, engagement, embodied knowledge, environment, and uncertainty. Two primary discourses were found embedded within the relational ethic themes: otherness and power/control. Within these discourses, sub-discourses relating to stigmatization, prejudice, domination, and marginalization were also found. Nursing must be attentive to the messages contained within the depictions of psychiatric nursing care. Nurses can no longer afford to be silent; as these images have consequences for the patients, their families, and the nurses working in this complex specialty area.

Recent publicity has focused on the problems created by the usage of illicit drugs in the community. The growing use of illicit drugs throughout the Grampians region and the lack of resources and professional services available to regional and rural areas raise many questions as to treatment options and the accessibility and appropriateness of drug and alcohol and mental health services. Despite the fact that mental health professionals in rural/regional areas are expected to deliver the most appropriate care to individuals with a comorbid drug and alcohol and psychiatric disorder, a number of these rural/regional mental health professionals have limited preparation and experience in dealing with dual diagnosis issues. This phenomenological study focuses on the area of dual diagnosis, specifically the experiences of health professionals who care for clients diagnosed with a serious mental illness and a coexisting drug and alcohol disorder. Results are described in the form of four themes, which emerged from data collected during in-depth interviews with 13 mental health professionals who care for clients with a dual diagnosis. The themes captured in this research will be described using metaphors as headings. The first theme Sink or swim represents mental health professionals’ initial preparation to care for this group of complex clientele. Treading water symbolises mental health professionals’ endeavours to keep their head above water and reflects on their feelings while endeavouring to do so. Rowing against the tide describes mental health professionals’ understanding of clients’ drug misuse, which impacts greatly on the level of care. / Master of Nursing

Thesis (M Nursing)--University of South Australia, 1996

Diss. (sammanfattning) Umeå : Univ., 2004. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Melbourne, Dept. of History, 1999. / Author's name on cover: C. Day. Typescript (photocopy). Includes bibliographical references (leaves 409-418).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Victoria University (Melbourne, Vic.), 2006. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Western Australia, 2005.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Victoria University (Melbourne, Vic.), 2006. / Includes bibliographical references.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Umeå : Univ., 2007. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.