"And there's the likes of me": a phenomenological study of the experience of four women inpatients at a mental health unit

Abstract

This research draws on the experiences of four women whilst they were inpatients at the Mental Health Unit (MHU) in Southland, New Zealand. The intention of this research was to achieve description of the inpatient experience and purity within the findings. The Husserlian path of phenomenology was followed and in-depth interviewing used to collect data. Colaizzi's method of analysis enabled accurate interpretation of transcripts. This research approach ensured rigour within this study. The overall goal of this research is to provide health professionals with an opportunity to inform their practice, based on what consumers are saying about their experience of hospitalisation. In hearing the stories of these four women, opportunity arises to increase understanding of and insight into the experience of hospitalisation within a mental health facility. These women recalled their experience honestly and offered suggestions for future service delivery. They shared events, happenings and not happenings in describing their hospitalisation, so as to inform others. Themes emerged through participants relating their experience by using comparisons with either their outside world or previous episodes of hospitalisation. Through analysis, two fundamental structures became evident within the findings. These were 'the environment as containment' and 'the road recovery'. This study raises significant issues surrounding the experience of hospitalisation at the MHU that have implications for future research and for future service delivery.