The negotiation of identity among people with mental illness in rural communities

Community Mental Health Journal
Tor-Johan Ekeland, Randi Bergem

Abstract

Integration and normalization are goals within the community-based care of people with mental illness. The implementation of this care policy has led to increased contact between people with mental illness and so-called normal people and society at large. But we know little about how this change affects the former patients' identity and experience of stigma and stereotyping. This study is based on qualitative interviews with people with mental illness (N=15) living in rural communities in four different municipalities. The focus in the study is on the informants' subjective experiences and the results show that they adapt in different ways, depending on how they negotiate their identity. Those who accept their role as "mental patients" seem to have easier access to services, they experience less stigmatization and fewer conflicts with their surroundings than those who oppose the patient role. Seem from our informants' perspectives there seems to be a simple definition of integration: Being integrated is feeling accepted as yourself. Some implications for policy and mental health services are discussed.

References

Jun 1, 1992·The British Journal of Medical Psychology·L Davidson, J S Strauss
Feb 1, 1991·Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health·K P DawsonL J Toop
Mar 21, 2001·Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior·W W Dube, W J McIlvane
Nov 26, 2003·Community Mental Health Journal·Robert E DrakeHoward H Goldman
Dec 17, 2003·Canadian Journal of Psychiatry. Revue Canadienne De Psychiatrie·Julio Arboleda-Flórez
Mar 3, 2004·The Psychiatric Quarterly·David J SellsLarry Davidson

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Jun 25, 2009·Community Mental Health Journal·Michael D PullmannCraig Anne Heflinger
Jan 20, 2011·International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being·Inga Tidefors, Elisabeth Olin
Apr 25, 2012·Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology·Alina BeldieJohannes Wancata
Aug 1, 2008·International Journal of Mental Health Nursing·Lars Lilja, Ove Hellzén
Mar 14, 2009·Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing·N Snow, W J Austin
Jan 16, 2010·International Journal of Mental Health Nursing·Yulia Kartalova-O'Doherty, Donna Tedstone Doherty
Jan 28, 2014·Qualitative Health Research·Nadya T Eriksson, Lena Wiklund-Gustin
Feb 16, 2010·Qualitative Health Research·Yin-Ling Irene WongPhyllis L Solomon
Sep 17, 2020·Asia-Pacific Psychiatry : Official Journal of the Pacific Rim College of Psychiatrists·Wenjing Li, Nicola Reavley

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.

Related Papers

Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved
Cody L ChippLaura Weiss Roberts
The Journal of Rural Health : Official Journal of the American Rural Health Association and the National Rural Health Care Association
Thomas A ArcuryJames M Powers
© 2021 Meta ULC. All rights reserved