The role of the environment in the recuperation of mentally ill patients in Manguzi health ward
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Date
2004
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Abstract
This is a descriptive-exploratory study which aims at distinguishing the environmental factors that contributes to recovery of a mentally ill person. The study is undertaken in view of acknowledging that currently, mentally ill patients are only institutionalised during the acute onset of mental illness. When the symptoms have been controlled through usage of medicinal substances, individuals continue with their lives back into the community. The adjustment of the individual may be influenced by the attitude of the community members, as there is still a degree of resistance in staying with an individual with a history of mental disorder. The study has been undertaken to highlight factors that contribute to the recuperation of mentally affected persons.
The study attempts to focus on establishing the following:
(a) To determine factors within the individual contributing to recovery;
(b) To determine factors within the family and friends leading to recovery.
(c) To distinguish factors in the community, including the home environment that assist the mentally ill person to be stable.
The study was executed at Northern Kwa-Zulu, which is predominantly a rural area in Manguzi health ward. The local hospital (Manguzi) was utilised and home visits to the homes of the respondents were undertaken. The convenient sampling method was used and arrived at 104 respondents recovering from mental illness. The structured interview guide was utilised to gather information from the respondents.
The results of the study show that the recovery of individual is a combination of various environmental factors that surround the individual as well as the
adaptation and the adjustment between the individual and the external environment. Besides the use of prescribed medication that stabilised the symptoms of mental illness, the individual has to have positive attitude, insight and motivation towards recovery. The disability grants received by the mentally ill assisted them to cope with socio-economic challenges, as the majority was unemployed. The awareness of family members, friends and community about the condition and care of mentally ill person contributed to the recovery of the individuals. The harmony between the internal and external environment shown by acceptance and tolerance was perceived as a contributory factor to recovery. The indicators of acceptance included love and respect, maintainance of privacy, provision of food, clothing and good interpersonal relationships among the family, friends and community members. Contrary to this, lack of recreational facilities and unemployment due to discrimination were identified as negative and led other respondents to abuse substances (dagga and alcohol) which was also promoted by nearby bottle stores and shebeens.
The findings recommend that the family form the basic environment in which the person with mental illness recovers. The family should participate actively in the caring of the mentally ill person, show unconditional love, respect and acceptance. Based on the findings of the study, it is recommended that mentally ill persons should get opportunities of employment so that they will be productive in the community and financial stresses will be reduced. The education of all people about the importance of promoting mental health should be done. Health professionals through health education programmes should reinforce that, the environment that the person interacts with, is the influential factor in the mental stability of the person and the response to any triggers may vary according to the individual, thus it must be conducive to recuperation.
Description
A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Arts (Now Faculty of Science), University of Zululand, in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Masters (M.Cur) in Psyhiatric Nursing, in the Department of Sursing Science, 2004.
Keywords
Mentally ill--Care--South Africa--Manguzi, Mentally ill--Family relationships--South Africa--Manguzi, Mentally ill--Home care--South Africa--Manguzi