Ingela Skärsäter

A salutogenetic perspective on how men cope with major depression in daily life, with the help of professional and lay support

Worldwide, major depression is one of the main causes of premature death and lowered functional capacity, and its importance will increase in the coming years. At the same time, there is a gap in service provision, and the needs of depressed patients are often not met. Therefore, the aim of this study was to describe how men (N=12) with major depression (DSM-IV) cope with daily life with the help of professional and lay support. The men were selected by strategic sampling and analysed with an approach inspired by phenomenography. Four descriptive categories emerged: being unburdened, restoring ones health, feeling involved, and finding a meaning. A man receives help and support from health care in restoring his health but his own path to getting well is to resume his place in the public domain. To help him do so, lay support is vital, and an important task for the nurse is, therefore, to support him in maintaining his existing social network or in building a new one.

Women's conceptions of coping with major depression in daily life: a qualitative, salutogenic approach.

The experience of having a severe disease such as major depression affects all aspects of the individuals life, including family, work, and social functioning. Therefore, the aim of this study was to describe, from a salutogenic approach, womens conceptions of coping with major depression in daily life with the help of professional and lay support. Thirteen women, previously hospitalized for major depression, were included in the study. The women were selected by strategic sampling, and data were analyzed by application of a phenomenographic approach. Four descriptive categories emerged: Self-Healing, Managing, Receiving Social Support, and Finding Meaning. While working their way out of the depression, the women needed to undergo a process of transition, involving both a cognitive and an emotional understanding, which they subsequently translated into health-related actions. The task of psychiatric mental health nurses is to provide care that empowers patients. Future nursing research should explore the circumstances that empower these women to start the transition process, as this process appears to be vital for recovery from major depression.

Sense of Coherence and Recovery From Major Depression: A 4-Year Follow-up

The aim of this longitudinal exploratory study was to identify and follow persons with the first episode of major depression (MD) to determine whether sense of coherence (SOC) changes over time. An additional purpose was to assess whether SOC is associated with depressive symptoms, aggression, and functional status either immediately after diagnosis or at 4 years postdiagnosis. The study design was longitudinal; participants participated in semistructured interviews and completed surveys every 6 months starting at diagnosis and concluding 4 years later. The sample consisted of 33 adult patients who were being treated for the first episode of MD according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Twenty-two participants completed all nine sessions. SOC was measured using the SOC scale; depressive symptoms using the Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale; aggression, including the total score and subscales of anger and hostility, using the Aggression Questionnaire-revised Swedish version; and functional status using the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scale and the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). At baseline, SOC was significantly correlated with total aggression (r = -45) and the hostility subscale (r = -.73); baseline SOC was unrelated to depressive symptoms or functional status. SOC increased significantly over time (P < .0001). At the 4-year follow-up, SOC was significantly related to depressive symptoms (r = -.60), the aggression summary score (r = -.65), the anger subscale (r = -.52), the hostility subscale (r = -.77), the GAF (r = .64), and the physical and mental health components of the SF-36 (r = .74 and .72, respectively). The finding that SOC increases as patients recover from MD suggests that treatment of depression may also bolster the patients ability to cope, in addition to lowering depressive symptoms. The relationship between SOC and aggression in MD, with higher SOC correlated with lower aggression, needs to be examined further.

Outcomes of an educational intervention for the family of a person with bipolar disorder: a 2‐year follow‐up study

This study aimed to analyse the outcomes of an educational intervention for family members living with a person with bipolar disorder. A longitudinal study was conducted comprising a 10-session educational intervention designed for families with members in outpatient mental health care. Thirty-four family members agreed to participate. Data were collected on five occasions, at baseline and during a 2-year follow-up through self-assessment instruments: the Carers of Older People in Europe Index, the Jalowiec Coping Scale-40, the Sense of Coherence questionnaire and the Social Adaptation Self-evaluation Scale. The results showed that the condition had a considerable negative impact on the family members as carers, but the educational intervention increased their understanding, which facilitated the management of their lives. A significant improvement in stress management was seen over time and social functioning was retained. The study showed that families living with one member with bipolar disorder benefited from the educational intervention in terms of increasing understanding of the condition and reducing stress. Mental health care needs to develop educational interventions further and offer the families support to strengthen their ability to manage with the situation.

The life circumstances of persons with a psychiatric disability: a survey in a region in southern Sweden

Accessible summary •  This article describes the life circumstances of persons with a psychiatric disability living in a region in southern Sweden. The respondents themselves describe their life circumstances in terms of their living conditions, occupation and activities, health, and formal and informal support. •  The results show that 77.5% are unmarried, which differ considerably from corresponding figures for the Swedish population in general, of whom only 34% are single. Approximately 23% reported some sort of regular work, while only 8.7% declared that they earned a salary. Nine of 10 participants reported that their income came from sickness benefits and disability pensions, which can be compared with 10% (approximately) of the general Swedish population. Ninety per cent of participants reported receiving two or three different types of support – e.g. practical, social and medical – and having extensive contacts with municipal services to help them cope with their daily lives. •  People with psychiatric disability need both formal and informal support in coping with their everyday lives. The family plays an important role and it is essential to establish cooperation between the formal and informal support systems. •  The socio-political goal of fostering access to work and gainful employment is far from having been attained. Abstract This article describes the life circumstances of persons with a psychiatric disability living in one urban and six rural areas in a single region in Sweden. Furthermore, the life circumstances of persons with a psychiatric disability are discussed in relation to the aims of social policies in Sweden. Data were collected by means of a survey study exploring the formal support provided by local authorities to its citizens and the informal support given by family members and volunteers. The results reveal how the respondents themselves describe their life circumstances in terms of their living conditions, occupation and activities, health, and formal and informal support. The results indicate that persons with a psychiatric disability, regardless of where they live, need both formal and informal support in order to cope with their everyday lives. The family plays an important role in this, and it is essential for the formal and informal support systems to cooperate with each other. The lack of activities and opportunities for work experienced by persons with a psychiatric disability indicates that the sociopolitical goal of fostering access to employment and work and to earning a living for this group is far from having been attained.This article describes the life circumstances of persons with a psychiatric disability living in one urban and six rural areas in a single region in Sweden. Furthermore, the life circumstances of persons with a psychiatric disability are discussed in relation to the aims of social policies in Sweden. Data were collected by means of a survey study exploring the formal support provided by local authorities to its citizens and the informal support given by family members and volunteers. The results reveal how the respondents themselves describe their life circumstances in terms of their living conditions, occupation and activities, health, and formal and informal support. The results indicate that persons with a psychiatric disability, regardless of where they live, need both formal and informal support in order to cope with their everyday lives. The family plays an important role in this, and it is essential for the formal and informal support systems to cooperate with each other. The lack of activities and opportunities for work experienced by persons with a psychiatric disability indicates that the sociopolitical goal of fostering access to employment and work and to earning a living for this group is far from having been attained.

'The web is not enough, it's a base' - an explorative study of what needs a web-based support system for young carers must meet

The aim of this study was to gain knowledge about the specific needs that a web-based support system for young carers (YCs) must meet. Twelve young people with experience of caring for and supporting a close friend, partner or relative with mental illness (MI) were interviewed about their life situation, support needs and opinions about a hypothetical web-based support system. The transcribed interviews were analysed using content analysis. The analysed data were organised into three themes relating to support needs, each including a number of sub-themes: knowledge – understanding MI, managing the mentally ill person and self-care; communication – shared experiences, advice and feedback, and befriending; and outside involvement – acute relief, structured help and health care commitments. Web-based support for YCs may be a suitable way to meet the need for knowledge and to meet some of the needs for communication. We have outlined a concept of a geographically anchored web support to meet the need for befriending, facilitate connections to health and social care, and increase understanding and interaction between the parties involved. Further research is needed to corroborate the results.

The meaning of care on a locked acute psychiatric ward: Patients’ experiences

Background: The deinstitutionalization of psychiatric care has led to a concentration of patients to fewer wards. This leads to difficulties in separating voluntarily and involuntarily admitted patients, and there is a risk that the interest in safeguarding patients’ autonomy will decrease. Aims: The aim of this study was to elucidate the meaning care has to patients on a locked acute psychiatric ward. The study was performed on a ward for patients with affective and eating disorders who were admitted both voluntarily and involuntarily. Methods: Interviews were conducted and analysed using qualitative content analysis. Results: The results show that to the patients, care had contradictory qualities some alleviated their suffering while others contributed to stress. The alleviation from suffering originated from the experiences of strengthened integrity and self-determination, from being supported, and having a place of refuge on the ward. In contrast to this, there were experiences of being dependent and trapped because of lack of influence and choice, and being controlled. Conclusions: In conclusion, this qualitative study shows that to the patients, care can mean being disciplined in a way that risks undermining the alleviation of suffering that care can provide. It is thus important to be observant when it comes to manifestations of control in care. The study also shows that the support of fellow patients has a value as a complement to the care given by staff members and next of kin, something that needs to be further investigated.

Children's view of a major depression affecting a parent in the family

This study aims to elucidate, from the childrens perspective, the meaning for family life of a parent suffering a major depression disorder. Eight children and young adults were interviewed. Phenomenological-hermeneutic analysis generated two themes: (1) “Being a rescuing observer” with the subthemes, “Being attentive” and “Being considerate,” and (2) “Being a frustrated observer” with the subthemes, “feeling discomfort” and “being out of it.” Childrens lives alternate between responsibility and loneliness as they wait for reciprocity in family life to return to normal. Children need support in order to manage their sense of responsibility and loneliness adequately.

The experience of working on a locked acute psychiatric ward.

Accessible summary • Acute psychiatric wards, many of which are locked, are challenging work environments. This study explores the experience of health-care staff working on such a ward. • The study shows that the health-care staff have to manage a changing and demanding work environment. A need for security and control is indicated. • Some positive experiences from work are described, such as meaningfulness and personal development, which counterbalance the burden of working in this environment. • The forces that drive health-care staff and their motivation for working on acute psychiatric wards need to be studied further. Abstract This studys aim was to elucidate health-care staff experience of working on a locked acute psychiatric ward. In many countries changes in health care has contributed to fewer beds available in inpatient care, and a concentration of patients with severe psychiatric conditions. This implies a changing work environment in acute psychiatric care. Qualitative interviews with health-care staff (n= 10) were carried out on a ward for patients with affective disorder and eating disorder in a Swedish hospital. Qualitative content analysis was used. Four themes were identified from the data: ‘undergoing changes in care delivery’, ‘feeling a need for security and control’, ‘managing the demands at work’ and ‘feeling a sense of responsibility’. This study adds to earlier research into how a sense of responsibility can place a significant burden on health-care staff working on a locked psychiatric ward and also contribute to increased control of patients. This study also shows that relationships and power structures among health-care staff need to be addressed when organizational changes are made in care delivery. Further research is needed to reach a comprehensive understanding of care on locked acute psychiatric wards, including a development of nursing and medicine as knowledge domains in one common context.

Daily life for young adults who care for a person with mental illness: a qualitative study

This study describes the daily life and management strategies of young informal carers of family members or friends with mental illness. Twelve young adults (three men and nine women; 16-25 years old) in Sweden were voluntarily recruited between February and May 2008. Data collected through eight individual semi-structured interviews and one focus group interview were analysed using qualitative content analysis. The findings revealed nine subthemes that were further grouped into three main themes: showing concern, providing support and using management strategies. Participants lived in constant readiness for something unexpected to happen to the person they cared for, and their role in the relationship could change quickly from family member or friend to guardian or supervisor. Supporting a friend was considered as large a personal responsibility as supporting a family member. Their management strategies were based on individual capacities and their ability to step aside should the situation become too demanding. These young informal carers need support in caring for the mentally ill. As the internet becomes increasingly fundamental to daily life, support could be provided most effectively through person-centred web sites.