Abstract

• Purpose
  This research investigated the daily experiences of patients' lives to develop a formal theory that explains the lives of schizophrenic patients.
• Method
  A grounded theory method(Strauss & Corbin, 1998) guided the data collection and analysis. Thirteen patients who were diagnosed with schizophrenia in regional communities participated.
• Result
  The experiences of chronic schizophrenic patients are defined as “escaping from a fallen mine” comparing their suffering to that of entrapped miners trying to free themselves from a collapsed mine tunnel with much difficulty and without hope. In observing participant's time lines of having lived with chronic schizophrenia, it advances with “surrender”, “collapse”, “reaching out”, “rising”, “preparing to spring up”, and “starting anew”.
• Conclusion
  The results of this study indicate that the experience of a chronic schizophrenic patient is like that of a miner caught under a fallen mine channel, who, without external help cannot escape the depths of the mine, but at the same time must have conviction and hope of rescue and avert fear to cooperate with outside help. The result indicates that family members, doctors and nurses as well as an institute's persistent and active support is most critical for the patient's adjustment to social life.
• Keywords: Schizophrenia; Qualitative Research; Life Experience

Figure & Data

REFERENCES

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by  

• Phenomenological Analysis of the Meaning of Life in of People Who Experience Mental Illness
  Mi Ok Lee, Eun Jin Lee, Mi Hyoung Lee
  Journal of Korean Academy of psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing.2021; 30(4): 318.     CrossRef
• Evolutionary Concept Analysis of Resilience in People with Mental Disabilities
  Seog-Bun Yoo, Gwi-Ryung Son Hong
  Journal of Korean Academy of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing.2017; 26(4): 333.     CrossRef
• Schizophrenic Patients' Perception and Nurses' Estimation of the Stress during Hospitalization in Psychiatric Ward
  ByungJun Kim, Sookbin Im
  Korean Journal of Stress Research.2017; 25(3): 201.     CrossRef
• Preferences in Mental Health Services for Persons with Mental Illnesses: Q-Methodological Approach
  Myoung Jung Kim, Su Jin Kim
  Journal of Korean Academy of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing.2012; 21(4): 333.     CrossRef
• Effects of Listening to Music on Auditory Hallucination and Psychiatric Symptoms in People with Schizophrenia
  Hyun-Joo Na, Soo Yang
  Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing.2009; 39(1): 62.     CrossRef