Operational Definition of Serious Mental Illness: Heterogeneity in a Review of the Research on Quality-of-Life Interventions
BACKGROUND: An operational definition of serious mental illness (SMI) with well-defined inclusion criteria allows the identification of the most vulnerable individuals and secures resources to meet their needs and develop social programs for their treatment, rehabilitation, and recovery. In addition, the contents of a clinical construct such as SMI have an impact on both the development and the clinical application of the research results. However, currently, different ways of operationalizing the definition of SMI coexist. AIMS: The aim of this review was to explore whether unanimity exists in the operationalization of SMI definitions in quality-of-life interventions research. METHODS: A r…
Effectiveness of direct contact intervention with people with mental illness to reduce stigma in nursing students
People with mental illnesses are at a higher risk than the general population of suffering from somatic diseases. However, they receive less attention from healthcare services. Some studies have indicated that this situation can be partially explained by the stigmatizing attitudes of health professionals, including nurses. With the objective to improve future nursing professionals’ attitudes towards people with mental illnesses, an intervention involving direct contact with people who had lived experience with mental illnesses was designed and its effectiveness was measured. It consisted of a single 90-min session involving a mental health professional, a person with a mental illness, and a…
A qualitative emancipatory inquiry into relationships between people with mental disorders and health professionals
WHAT IS KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT?: A therapeutic alliance with people with mental disorders could help increase the efficacy of treatment. The paradigm shift from a paternalistic model to one that respects the person's autonomy has led to professionals accepting the active role of people with mental disorders making decisions that affect their treatment. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS TO EXISTING KNOWLEDGE?: People with mental disorders perceive paternalistic and stigmatizing attitudes from health professionals, and they do not feel involved in decisions about their health, which can render effective therapeutic alliances difficult. The findings reveal that although people in Mediterranean countries are …
The experiences of older individuals providing care to older dependents: A phenomenological study in Spain
Objective Non-professional care provided in domestic settings by a family member or someone from the close environment and without a connection to a professional care service, is increasingly assumed by older people, mainly the spouses of those requiring care. The aim of this study was to describe the experience of older people providing care at home to older dependents. Methods A qualitative study was carried out to describe and explore the experience of older people, caregivers of dependent older people in the home. Results Four themes emerged as a result of the analysis: interpersonal relationships established in the caregivers’ immediate environment; the need and request for public and…
Appendix_1 – Supplemental material for Operational Definition of Serious Mental Illness: Heterogeneity in a Review of the Research on Quality-of-Life Interventions
Supplemental material, Appendix_1 for Operational Definition of Serious Mental Illness: Heterogeneity in a Review of the Research on Quality-of-Life Interventions by Concepción Martínez-Martínez, Miguel Richart-Martínez and Juan Diego Ramos- Pichardo in Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association