title: "Out of sight": Sexuality and women with enduring mental illness.
abstract: Sexuality is a complex and fundamental aspect of a person's health and mental well-being, yet mental health professionals generally seem reluctant to discuss sexuality related issues and few research studies have specifically explored the sexuality of women with enduring mental illness. The aim of this qualitative research was to gain a deeper understanding about the sexuality experiences of this group of women. Eight women were interviewed individually, and then together as a focus group. Working from a feminist theoretical perspective, the interview transcripts were analysed thematically. All the women considered sexuality an essential component of their identity. However, powerful interlocking systems controlled and influenced how the women expressed their sexuality, often marginalizing, and positioning them as 'Other', and rendering their sexuality hidden and unseen. The experiences of this group of women highlight the need for mental health professionals to recognize sexuality as an important aspect of a person's care and recovery, and to create a culture that is supportive of a person's sexuality and sexual expression. Incorporating sexuality related issues into clinical practice offers mental health professionals a significant opportunity to make a positive difference.
authors.affiliation: Bachelor of Nursing Programme, Whitireia Community Polytechnic, Porirua, New Zealand. joanna.davison@whitireia.ac.nz
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Davison
authors.forename: Annette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Huntington
mesh_terms: D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D017281:Cost of Illness; D005260:Female; D019513:Feminism; D017144:Focus Groups; D005783:Gender Identity; D006167:Guilt; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D018452:Homosexuality, Female / Q000208:ethnology; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000208:ethnology*; D009520:New Zealand; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009765:Obesity / Q000208:ethnology; D012929:Psychological Distance; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012649:Self Concept; D019529:Sexuality / Q000208:ethnology*; D012951:Socialization; D013240:Stereotyping; D014930:Women / Q000523:psychology*