title: Living with serious mental illness: the desire for normalcy.
abstract: This article describes the desire for normalcy as experienced by 6 men and 13 women with serious mental illness based on secondary analysis of data from two previous qualitative studies. Original data were collected by structured and semi-structured interviews, and thematic analysis was done. Major categories of desire for normalcy are having normal things and experiences; doing meaningful activities; and being well, safe, free, and independent. Self-care actions to promote and maintain normalcy are identified, and finding are discussed in relation to Orem's self-care deficit theory of nursing. Implications for nursing theory, research, and practice are addressed.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Pickens
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D017281:Cost of Illness; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006262:Health; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000451:nursing / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology*; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009742:Nursing Theory; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing; D011788:Quality of Life; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology*; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires