Physical health and well‐being: Experiences and perspectives of young adult mental health consumers

Abstract

Compromised physical health and raised levels of morbidity and mortality are experienced by young people (16-24 years) with mental illness, and are compounded by psychotropic medication. How this group conceives and experiences physical health is not well understood. We investigated the meanings, beliefs, and endeavours of young people that impact their physical health understandings and behaviours. The present study formed the qualitative phase of a sequential mixed-methods study, and incorporated semistructured interviews with 12 hospitalized young people. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyse data. Participants held a holistic ideal of physical health that they did not meet. Weight change, poor sleep, and limited exercise adversely impacted their lives and self-image. Sedentary behaviour, reduced energy, and limited health literacy compromised effective management of physical health. Young people needed structure and support to assist them in addressing their physical health needs when amotivation overwhelmed their internal resources. Nurses are well placed to help young people increase their competency for health management. Individualized information and methods to promote good physical health are required for this group in jeopardy from physical morbidity and mortality.

Meeting the needs? Perceived support of a nurse‐led lifestyle programme for young adults with mental illness in a primary health‐care setting

“…Through this programme, the young adults gained structure and support, findings that are in line with previous research (McCloughen et al . ). Some participants found the cognitive support (e.g.…”

Keeping the body in mind: A qualitative analysis of the experiences of people experiencing first‐episode psychosis participating in a lifestyle intervention programme

“…Through participating in the KBIM programme, young people participants in this study related how they had improved their skills and knowledge about what constitutes a healthy lifestyle and adopting new behaviours . In previous research, young adult mental health consumers identified that they lacked knowledge and motivation to address the considerable negative impact on their physical health that accompanied development of a mental illness (McCloughen et al ). The present study showed that providing young adults with a lifestyle intervention was an enabling factor for them to take control of their physical health.…”

The physical health of young people experiencing first‐episode psychosis: Mental health consumers’ experiences

“…Health literacy related to mental, physical, and metabolic health care influences health behaviours and health outcomes (Gulliver et al 2010;McCloughen et al 2016). An increase in knowledge and understanding of health and health care can enable the young person to make better lifestyle choices and build their confidence and trust to work collaboratively with health professionals, including their peer support workers to improve physical healthcare outcomes (Young et al 2017).…”

“…While there is a plethora of literature on the poor physical health outcome of adults with mental illness (Curtis et al 2011;McCloughen et al 2016;Morrison et al 2015), the literature is now highlighting the physical health issues affecting young people diagnosed with first-episode psychosis (Bradshaw & Pedley 2012;Hetrick et al 2010;Malla et al 2016). Furthermore, young people do not always have awareness early in their illness trajectory about the impact their psychosis and the antipsychotic medications they receive as treatment can have on their physical health into the future (Morrison et al 2015).…”