“My life isn't my life, it's the systems”: A qualitative exploration of women's experiences of day‐to‐day restrictive practices as inpatients

Abstract

Accessible summary What is known on the subject? Sometimes someone needs to be in hospital because they are struggling with their mental health and need some extra support but being in hospital can also be a difficult experience. There are a lot of restrictions in place in hospital, like locked doors, rules to follow and not much choice about what happens to you. Other research has found that these restrictions can feel difficult and stressful for people and so more research is needed about this. We wanted to know what being in hospital felt like for women in particular. What the paper adds to existing knowledge? We interviewed women who were in hospital because of their mental health about what it was like for them in hospital. The women told us that they felt powerless while they were in hospital. They sometimes felt like they were being punished and this could affect their mood and could lead to them hurting themselves. They also said that they were not always listened to by staff, and they found it difficult being away from their family and friends while they were in hospital. The women also told us that being in hospital could sometimes help them to feel safe. What are the implications for practice? Women should be looked after in hospital in a way that helps them to feel in control of what happens to them. They should be supported to be able to go outside the hospital on leave, to keep in touch with their family and friends, and they should be listened to by staff. A project called “safewards” has suggested some ways for helping to make hospital wards safer. They have suggested that everyone should be clear about what the rules are when they go into hospital and ways that staff could communicate more clearly with the people they are working with. Our research supports using these techniques. Abstract IntroductionInpatient care often involves restrictive interventions such as seclusion and restraint and restrictive practices that limit the person's freedom, rights and daily activities. Restrictive practice has not been the explicit focus in previous research; however, it often appears as an important theme, with participants identifying it can have a detrimental effect on their well‐being. More research specifically on this topic in an inpatient setting is, therefore, needed. Women might be particularly vulnerable to adverse effects of restrictive practices compared to men as women generally occupy less powerful positions in society and more often experience abuse. AimsThe study aimed to explore women's experiences of routine restrictive practices in mental health inpatient settings. MethodsTwenty‐two women who were currently inpatients on mental health wards were interviewed about their experiences of restrictive practices in hospital. Interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. ResultsAn overarching theme emerged of powerlessness. Four key sub‐themes were also identified: restrictions perceived as punitive, having no voice, impact of restrictions on relationships and restrictions providin...

Digital Lifestyle Interventions for Young People With Mental Illness: A Qualitative Study Among Mental Health Care Professionals

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General psychiatric inpatient care for persons with anorexia nervosa—an integrative literature review protocol

“…General psychiatric inpatient care can be voluntary or coercive, and persons experiencing AN can be offered or compelled to undergo various treatments and therapies. 7 The organisation of psychiatric services differs worldwide. Inpatient care may be provided in large mental health institutions or in community or general hospital settings.…”

“…Persons who can no longer manage to cope with their psychiatric illness at home are able to receive psychiatric inpatient care at a hospital. 7 However, the lack of highly specialised eating disorder services means that persons with AN might be cared for in general psychiatric wards, which constitute an environment characterised by rules, locked doors and a lack of choice. 8 This can be stressful, but at the same time being in a hospital can allow feelings of being safe.…”

“…General psychiatric inpatient care can be voluntary or coercive, and persons experiencing AN can be offered or compelled to undergo various treatments and therapies. 7 …”