No abstract

Nearly all patients included in this study had one or more health risk factors that could aggravate clinical outcomes. There is a significant need, and potential, for health-promoting interventions. Multi-factorial interventions may be frequently indicated and should be the subject of interventional studies.

Because of the acuteness of the birth and the infant's prematurity, the mothers had various feelings about becoming mothers. Existential issues concerning life and death were triggered regarding their own lives and those of their infants. Their experiences are different from those of other NICU mothers; their illnesses initially restricted them from being with their infants. The mothers found that their own health and the fact that their infants were premature and had to stay in the NICU restricted them from being able to take care of their infants. While they recovered, they strived to act as they felt a real mother should.

No abstract

The aim of this study was to explore the daily life experiences of women who suffer from eating difficulties (ED). The research question was: what mental challenges related to daily life are experienced by women who suffer from ED? ED challenge the daily lives of individuals and their families. The problem is often concealed, and the individuals concerned frequently experience guilt and shame. An explorative design was used. Five women participated in a group programme focusing on experiences of ED, guilt and shame, being a mother and self-expression. Data were collected using focus group interviews and analysed by means of qualitative content analysis. The main theme Balancing between mental vulnerability and strength comprised three themes: (1) Struggling with emotional ambivalence; (2) Being cognitively aware of limitations; and (3) Experiencing an existential sense of being lost and frozen. The mental challenges were strong and affected the participants' lives. One clinical implication for psychiatric nurses is to acknowledge the strength of emotional, cognitive and existential challenges and make it possible for patients to articulate their exhaustion in spite of their outward appearance of strength.