Experiences of the Provided Care in a General Psychiatric Context After Disclosure of Abuse

Abstract

Introduction

Experiences of abuse during childhood and/or adulthood has an impact on women's mental health as well as generating frequent hospital admission. Experiences of abuse are common among female patients in general psychiatric care.

Aims and Objectives

The aim of the study is to elucidate how nine women with experiences of physical, emotional and/or sexual abuse experienced the care provided at a general psychiatric clinic after disclosure of abuse.

Method

Qualitative design with an inductive approach. Interviews with nine women who were recipients of general psychiatric care in an urban area in Sweden. The women had disclosed experiences of abuse to a member of staff. Qualitative inductive content analysis was used.

Results

The nine women reported being subjected to abuse during childhood and adulthood, only one of them reported only being abused as an adult. The overall theme emerging from the narratives, 'Dependency as a reality containing a duality of suffering and trust' describe the general psychiatric care as caring and noncaring. In a caring environment was the women acknowledged, listened to and treated with sensitivity. Experiences of noncaring were when the abuse was disregarded, the women were not believed in, offended or self-blamed for the abuse. A noncaring environment focused primarily on the diagnosis and the experienced abuse was seen as secondary.

Conclusions

Women who have experienced abuse experience the care provided as caring as well as noncaring. General psychiatric could be supportive as well as belittling depending on staff at the clinic.