ABSTRACT
Background
People with serious mental illness are at high risk for self-neglect. To develop effective intervention strategies, it is important to understand the participant’s own needs to overcome self-neglect.
Aim
This study aimed to create a theoretical framework revealing the structure of self-neglect based on the lived experiences of participants with serious mental illness.
Methods
The study was based on the constructivist grounded theory approach. Data were collected from 24 participants using a semi-structured interview form and analysed using constant comparative analysis. The study was reported in accordance with the Guideline for Reporting and Evaluating Grounded Theory Research.
Results
Analysis yielded the core category navigating self-neglect in the context of serious mental illness, representing a dynamic process through which participants experienced a gradual erosion of self-care and agency. The core category interacted with three other categories: being drawn into self-neglect, health problems that turn the wheel of self-neglect, and overcoming self-neglect: the need for balancing and compensatory factors.
Conclusion
This study provides a theoretical framework of self-neglect of participants with serious mental illness. It can help mental health nurses understand the structure of self-neglect and can facilitate the development of interventions that will prevent self-neglect and compensate for its effects.