LOSS OF CONTROL AND THE CHRONIC MENTALLY-ILL IN A RURAL DAY-TREATMENTCENTER

PROBLEM. What do chronically mentally ill clients consider to be the c ore variable hz maintaining health, and how do they go about doing thi s? METHODS. A grounded theory design with analysis of interviews of se ven chronically mentally ill clients in a rural day-treatment center. FINDINGS. The core variable in maintaining health according to chronic mentally ill clients is preventing loss of control. A process was dis covered that clients used to do this. CONCLUSIONS. Chronic mentally il l clients prevent loss of control by using informal relationships to a dapt behaviors, attitudes, and feelings within a supportive environmen t. If this fails, they turn to formal sources of control such as thera pists, case workers, or other mental health providers.