Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this study was to evaluate self‐management by individuals with a serious mental illness and an additional chronic disease.
Design and Methods
Heidegger’s hermeneutic phenomenological approach was used. The study was carried out with 12 participants with a serious mental illness and an additional chronic disease.
Results
The participants had a diagnosis of schizophrenia and diabetes (75%). Based on the data, the difficulties faced by the patients in chronic disease management were determined as three themes: (a) personal‐related difficulties, (b) family and society‐related difficulties, and (c) healthcare system‐related difficulties.
Practice Implications
Nurses’ interventions to accurately inform other clinicians and leading professional groups in the community will support individuals with serious mental illnesses to improve their self‐management by reducing the burden of stigma.