Carswell, Claire orcid.org/0000-0003-3781-3286, Brown, Jennifer Valeska Elli orcid.org/0000-0003-0943-5177, Lister, Jennie Elizabeth orcid.org/0000-0002-2911-8331 et al. (15 more authors) (2022) The lived experience of severe mental illness and long-term conditions:a qualitative exploration of service user, carer, and healthcare professional perspectives on self-managing co-existing mental and physical conditions. BMC Psychiatry. 479. ISSN 1471-244X
Abstract
BACKGROUND: People with severe mental illness (SMI), such as schizophrenia, have higher rates of physical long-term conditions (LTCs), poorer health outcomes, and shorter life expectancy compared with the general population. Previous research exploring SMI and diabetes highlights that people with SMI experience barriers to self-management, a key component of care in long-term conditions; however, this has not been investigated in the context of other LTCs. The aim of this study was to explore the lived experience of co-existing SMI and LTCs for service users, carers, and healthcare professionals. METHODS: A qualitative study with people with SMI and LTCs, their carers, and healthcare professionals, using semi-structured interviews, focused observations, and focus groups across the UK. Forty-one interviews and five focus groups were conducted between December 2018 and April 2019. Transcripts were coded by two authors and analysed thematically. RESULTS: Three themes were identified, 1) the precarious nature of living with SMI, 2) the circularity of life with SMI and LTCs, and 3) the constellation of support for self-management. People with co-existing SMI and LTCs often experience substantial difficulties with self-management of their health due to the competing demands of their psychiatric symptoms and treatment, social circumstances, and access to support. Multiple long-term conditions add to the burden of self-management. Social support, alongside person-centred professional care, is a key facilitator for managing health. An integrated approach to both mental and physical healthcare was suggested to meet service user and carer needs. CONCLUSION: The demands of living with SMI present a substantial barrier to self-management for multiple co-existing LTCs. It is important that people with SMI can access person-centred, tailored support for their LTCs that takes into consideration individual circumstances and priorities.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © The Author(s) 2022. |
Keywords: | Caregivers,Delivery of Health Care,Health Personnel,Humans,Mental Disorders/complications,Qualitative Research,Self-Management |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of York |
Academic Units: | The University of York > Faculty of Sciences (York) > Health Sciences (York) The University of York > Faculty of Sciences (York) > Hull York Medical School (York) The University of York > Faculty of Social Sciences (York) > Centre for Health Economics (York) The University of York > Faculty of Social Sciences (York) > Social Policy and Social Work (York) > York Environmental Sustainability Institute |
Funding Information: | Funder Grant number NIHR-CCF RP-PG-1016-20003 |
Depositing User: | Pure (York) |
Date Deposited: | 07 Jul 2022 16:10 |
Last Modified: | 06 Feb 2025 00:10 |
Published Version: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-022-04117-5 |
Status: | Published |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1186/s12888-022-04117-5 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:188822 |
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