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To do good might hurt bad: Exploring nurses' understanding and approach to suffering in forensic psychiatric settings
Author(s) -
Vincze Mattias,
Fredriksson Lennart,
Wiklund Gustin Lena
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
international journal of mental health nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.911
H-Index - 54
eISSN - 1447-0349
pISSN - 1445-8330
DOI - 10.1111/inm.12116
Subject(s) - context (archaeology) , psychiatry , meaning (existential) , hermeneutics , psychology , mental illness , forensic psychiatry , courage , mental health , medicine , psychotherapist , epistemology , biology , paleontology , philosophy , theology
Patients in forensic psychiatric settings not only have to deal with their mental illness, but also memories of criminal activities and being involuntarily hospitalized. The aim of the present study was to explore how nurses working in forensic psychiatric services understand and approach patients' experiences of suffering. Data were generated by semistructured interviews with psychiatric nurses from two different forensic psychiatric units in S weden. Data were analysed by means of a hermeneutic approach inspired by R icoeur's hermeneutics. The findings are reflected in four main themes: (i) ignoring suffering; (ii) explaining suffering as a natural and inevitable part of daily life in the forensic context; (iii) ascribing meaning to suffering; and, (iv) being present in suffering. To engage in alleviating suffering is a struggle that demands courage and the strength to reflect on its character and consequences. To encounter suffering means that nurses are not only confronted with patients' suffering, but also their own reactions to those patients. If suffering is not recognized or encountered, there is a risk that actions may have a negative impact on patients.