| Learning Objective #1: Examine the relationship between culture and the understanding of quality of life | |||
| Learning Objective #2: Explore the use of transcultural approaches in assisting patients to meet their quality of life goals |
Objective: To understand how the concept of quality of life guides the practice of psychiatric nurses who care for individuals with severe mental illness.
Design: A grounded theory design was used to uncover the knowledge embedded in clinical practice.
Sample: This study employed a purposive sample of twenty psychiatric nurses from all educational levels who were considered to be experts in their field.
Methods: Nurses were surveyed using in-depth, face-to face interviews, followed by focus groups. Data were analyzed using the constant comparative method, and open and axial coding. An audit trail, peer debriefing and member checks were employed to ensure credibility.
Findings: Quality of life was seen as a concept imbued with cultural meanings. Nurses viewed cultural relativism as central to understanding a person’s concept of quality of life. Rather than using established rating scales, nurses preferred broad open-ended questions which allowed each individual to speak in his or her own voice. Quality of life was closely associated with the individual’s sense of self, life satisfaction, and goal attainment. Nurses came to understanding quality of life during times of dramatic contrast or when their own conceptualization was challenged.
Conclusions: The health promotion, advocacy, education and supportive roles of the nurse were seen to be central to promoting quality of life. Nurses further assisted clients by working to reduce stigma, and helping them to see a broader range of choices in their lives. Stigma was viewed as a significant barrier to life quality which could be addressed through educational programs and the clinical supervision of paraprofessionals.
Implications: Psychiatric nurses must be sensitive to the individual’s own definition of quality of life. Transcultural approaches are useful for nurses who wish to empower individuals with severe mental illness, and to help them achieve their own vision of quality of life.
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