An Interview Study on “Providing Structure” as an Intervention in Psychiatric Inpatient Care: The Nursing Perspective

Purpose To gain insight into nurses' perceptions and use of providing structure ( PS ) as an intervention during psychiatric inpatient care. Design and Methods Interviews were conducted with nurses ( n = 18) from two inpatient wards in psychiatry immediately following the occurrence of a PS event. This was done immediately following the occurrence of a PS event. Transcripts were analyzed using a qualitative coding process. Findings Four general and 14 specific PS activities were described associated with the nursing intervention PS . Practice Implications Nurses can now refer to specific activities of PS . An elaborated definition of PS is provided to facilitate a better understanding and using of PS as a psychiatric nursing intervention.