INTERRELATIONS OF PSYCHIATRIC PATIENT EXPERIENCES OF BOREDOM AND MENTAL HEALTH

Abstract

A review of literature related to psychiatric patients' interrelated experiences of boredom and mental health demonstrated that developing a better understanding of the relationship between boredom and health would provide important implications for development of the therapeutic environment of psychiatric units. The literature suggested that experiences of meaningful roles and relationships contribute substantially to experiences of control essential for mental health. Boredom is an indicator of a lack of experience of meaning. Many psychiatric patients experience boredom and lack opportunities to experience meaning, indicating a lack in the therapeutic potential of the hospital environment and a requisite for change and further research.