title: Defining care in the culture of the chronically mentally ill living in the community.
abstract: The ethnonursing method was used to discover care meanings, expressions, and experiences of the chronically mentally ill to guide nurses in promoting the health and well-being of these people. Fifteen key and 24 general informants were interviewed. Six major themes were abstracted: (a) care as listening and giving presence is meaningful to the chronically mentally ill; (b) they desire to give care to others; (c) they are a subculture; (d) mental illness carries a public stigma in the dominant culture; (e) flexible and growth-promoting care practices are desired; and (f) the chronically mentally ill desire normalcy but fear rejection by the dominant culture.
authors: T B
authors: TB
authors: George
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003152:Community Health Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000451:nursing*; D028642:Persons with Psychiatric Disorders; D008875:Middle Aged