Getting back to school : understanding adolescents' experience of reentry into school after psychiatric hospitalization

Abstract

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the experience students have reentering high school following psychiatric hospitalization, and within programming designed to assist with this transition. To accomplish this goal, two research questions were formulated to guide this study:What is the experience of re-entering high school, for adolescents, after a psychiatric hospitalization? and How does the transition programming work with students reentering the high school after hospitalization, considering the bridge for resilient youth in transition model milieu program as a Community of Practice? Participants were chosen from suburban high schools that offer the bridge for resilient youth in transition model programming. Data were collected from eight participants through a series of semi-structured, in-depth interviews. Data were analyzed using general inductive analysis, and was coded using multiple strategies, including open and axial coding. Three conclusions derived from the findings of this research.First, reentering high school after psychiatric hospitalization is an experience that produces academic and social stressors for students as they continue to manage symptoms. Second, BRYT reentry programming helps to support academic recovery, and mental health recovery, through relationship development and connectedness at school. Finally, BRYT reentry programs exist as Communities of Practice, where students' identities and their shared endeavor of reentry after psychiatric hospitalization are improved via meaningful engagement in the milieu.