Everyday life following long term psychiatric hospitalisation

Abstract

Although the immediate benefits of deinstitutionalisation are well documented, few studies have focused on the long term effects of lengthy psychiatric hospitalisation on everyday living. This narrative inquiry involved eight people who had spent more than four years in a New Zealand psychiatric institution. At the time of interview, they were living in unsupported accommodation in the community. Key findings reported here are that participants had few social contacts, and most reported not having enough to do. However, their belief that others know best and their acceptance of ‘taking one day at a time’ precluded expressing the need or desire for change or taking action to improve their situation. The provision of long-term support is recommended, along with further research to confirm the findings, investigate causative factors, and explore whether people deinstitutionalised from psychiatric hospitals and now resident in supported accommodation face similar issues.

Key Words:

• narrative inquiry
• mental illness
• deinstitutionalisation
• friends
• family
• activity