THE LIFEWORLD OF THE CHRONIC MENTALLY-ILL - ANALYSIS OF 40 WRITTEN PERSONAL ACCOUNTS

In this study, chronicity in mental illness has been investigated as i t is lived rather than how it might be conceptualized, Published first -hand accounts have provided the mechanism for direct access in coming to know the life of persons, their circumstances, and the meanings th ey associate with a life of persistent and enduring mental illness, Th ese are unique and particular human experiences, and there are no empi rical generalizations or law-like statements that can give such an und erstanding, Therefore the disclosure of meaning was sought through a h ermeneutic-phenomenologic process. Four lifeworld existentials provide the framework for a combined description and interpretation of what i t means to ''live'' chronic mental illness, The article concludes with a brief discussion of some implications for nursing practice, and com mentary is made on the relevance of such insights to health care provi ders in both acute and community care settings. Copyright (C) 1997 by W.B. Saunders Company.