title: [Significance of comforting experiences in mental health (part 1)].
abstract: This article begins with an overview of the program of research that has examined comforting in a variety of clinical settings (Bécherraz, 2001; 2002). Then, the context, participants and research question for this study are presented briefly. The article continues with an hermeneutic analysis of patient and clinician narratives. This hermeneutic analysis revealed four thematic categories related to comforting in mental health. These consist of (a) relational, (b) embodied, (c) social ties and (d) contextual dimensions. Further, the distribution of the 14 dyads along orthogonal axes as well as their composition will be presented and discussed. Finally, a paradigm case will illustrate all of the thematic categories, concluding with a brief synthesis.
authors.affiliation: Direction des Soins Infirmiers, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève.
authors.forename: Maud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bécherraz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology; D001883:Borderline Personality Disorder / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006379:Helping Behavior; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology; D016294:Models, Nursing; D008960:Models, Psychological; D033262:Narration; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*