A qualitative study of how people with severe mental illness experience living in sheltered housing with a private fully equipped apartment

Abstract

BackgroundThere are a number of supported housing options for people with severe mental illness (SMI), but limited knowledge about residents’ experiences. The aim of this study was to explore how people with SMI experienced sheltered housing consisting of both a private fully equipped apartment and a shared accommodation room for socializing.MethodsFourteen people with SMI living in sheltered housing apartments participated in a qualitative study with semi-structured face to face individual or group interviews.ResultsResidents’ access to the service providers in the sheltered housing, who were seen as both “ordinary people” and skilled to observe symptom changes at an early stage, were major factors for the perception of security. In addition, residents highlighted the possibility of living in a fully equipped apartment, and having access to a shared accommodation room to connect with other residents. Having a fully equipped apartment including their own equipment such as a washing machine was said to help reduce conflicts. Short tenancy agreements made some informants feel insecure. It was also essential to have meaningful daily activities outside the residence to avoid re-hospitalization.ConclusionsThe positive experience was connected to having a fully private equipped apartment including shared accommodation room. The service providers should be aware of the dilemma with in-house support, to make residents feel secure versus increased dependency on service providers.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12888-016-0888-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Service user experiences of specialist mental health supported accommodation: A systematic review of qualitative studies and narrative synthesis

“…The pros and cons of communal settings were described in terms of a tension between interactions that could be demanding, but also meaningful and rewarding (Goering et al., ; Lindström et al., ; Piat et al., ). At times, mental health problems and fatigue experienced by service users impacted negatively on their ability to relate to others, and to deal with their own reactions (Pejlert et al., ) and with the problems and behaviours of those who were more seriously ill (Goering et al., ; Jervis, ; Petersen et al., ; Piat et al., ; Roos et al., ).…”

“…This preference was frequently linked with the aspiration of living in "normal" housing (Kowlessar & Corbett, 2009). Nevertheless, service users appreciated supported housing services that facilitated access to mental health services and support with arranging and keeping appointments with mental health professionals (Kirkpatrick & Byrne, 2009;Rønning & Bjørkly, 2017;Roos, Bjerkeset, Søndenaa, Antonsen, & Steinsbekk, 2016).…”

“…Supportive relationships with staff appeared to be one of the most important themes in service users' narratives. Most service users were able to develop close and friendly relationships with staff (Andersson, 2016;Bengtsson-Tops, Ericsson, & Ehliasson, 2014;Chesters et al, 2005;Chopra & Herrman, 2011;Goering et al, 1992;Kirkpatrick & Byrne, 2011;Kowlessar & Corbett, 2009;Nelson, Clarke, Febbraro, & Hatzipantelis, 2005;Pejlert, Asplund, & Norberg, 1999;Petersen, Hounsgaard, Borg, & Nielsen, 2012;Rønning & Bjørkly, 2017;Roos et al, 2016). These relationships were particularly important in validating service users' experiences, something that was associated with the recovery orientation of a service (Browne et al, 2008;Chesters et al, 2005;Goering et al, 1992;Nelson et al, 2005).…”

“…Service users described a range of relationships with other service users, from friendships, both casual and intense (Bengtsson-Tops et al, 2014;Brolin et al, 2016;Carpenter-Song et al, 2012;Goering et al, 1992;Jervis, 2002;Kowlessar & Corbett, 2009;Nelson et al, 1997;Petersen et al, 2012;Piat et al, 2008), to conflictual relationships, ranging from minor fractions to prolonged, serious conflicts (Jervis, 2002;Kowlessar & Corbett, 2009;Lindström et al, 2011;McCrea & Spravka, 2008;Nelson et al, 1997;Pejlert et al, 1999;Piat et al, 2008;Pyke & Lowe, 1996;Roos et al, 2016). Many service users reported that their whole social network comprised other residents (Cleary et al, 1998;Roos et al, 2016). Being able to interact with people with similar experiences also provided a sense of support, comfort and acceptance, and was felt to be difficult to achieve in more independent settings (Granerud & Severinsson, 2003;Nelson et al, 1997;Piat et al, 2008;Roos et al, 2016).…”

“…Many service users reported that their whole social network comprised other residents (Cleary et al, 1998;Roos et al, 2016). Being able to interact with people with similar experiences also provided a sense of support, comfort and acceptance, and was felt to be difficult to achieve in more independent settings (Granerud & Severinsson, 2003;Nelson et al, 1997;Piat et al, 2008;Roos et al, 2016). Service users also stressed the importance of having someone to talk to who had had similar problems, broadening their perspectives on their problems through interactions with other service users, and how these interactions sometimes increased their awareness of their mental health (Carpenter-Song et al, 2012;Kirsh et al, 2009;Lindström et al, 2011;McCrea & Spravka, 2008).…”