Perceptions of the concept of health among nurses working in mental health services : a phenomenographic study

• A new understanding of the concept of health is needed to meet the goal of mental health nursing, which besides reducing disease is to strengthen the patient's health. The aim of the present study was to describe perceptions of the concept of health among nurses working in mental health services. Twelve Swedish nurses working in mental health services were interviewed and data were analysed with a phenomenographic approach. The nurses expressed 10 perceptions, which constituted three description categories: autonomy, process, and participation. The result showed that health was more than absence of disease. Simultaneously, perceptions were expressed indicating that health was viewed as absence of disease, which implies that the concept is not sufficiently defined. The result emphasizes the need to clarify the concept of health if it is to be used as a goal in mental health nursing and to integrate a clarified definition of health at all hierarchical levels in mental health care services.

Subject headings

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Ekonomi och näringsliv (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Economics and Business (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Omvårdnad (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Nursing (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Health

Nurse

Perception

Phenomenography

Psychiatry

adult

attitude to health

education

female

freedom

health personnel attitude

health status

human

human development

male

mental health

mental health service

middle aged

nurse attitude

nursing methodology research

nursing staff

organization and management

philosophy

psychiatric nursing

psychological aspect

psychological model

qualitative research

questionnaire

self concept

Sweden

trust

Attitude of Health Personnel

Health Knowledge

Attitudes

Practice

Middle Aged

Models

Psychological

Nurse's Role

Nursing Methodology Research

Nursing Staff

Nursing

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)