title: Leadership qualities when providing therapy for women who suffer from eating difficulties.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to reflect on aspects of mental health nursing leadership qualities with special focus on the therapeutic process for women who suffer from eating difficulties (ED).
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Therapy for patients with ED involves motivating them to make meaningful changes. Leadership qualities in MHN should focus on the relationship with the patient and positive empowerment processes.
  
  
  METHODS
  In-depth interviews were conducted with six women suffering from ED who had participated in art therapy. The interviews were analysed by means of an interpretative hermeneutic approach.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A main theme 'The mental health nurse as a formative and mindful leader in a group therapeutic relationship' and two themes 'Leading sensitively towards awakening the patients' awareness of their pre-understanding' and 'Leading dialectically towards solving patients' existential dilemmas' were developed and comprised two aspects of leadership.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The nurse-patient relationship is influenced by the patients' pre-understanding and existential dilemmas. Leadership qualities associated with being formative and mindful represent important aspects of this relationship and should be investigated and thematically described in greater detail in future research.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The nurse-patient relationship should focus on clinical supervision, in order to strengthen the nurses' leadership qualities in terms of being aware and dialectical.
authors: Division of Psychiatry, Stavanger University Hospital, Norway. kroe@sus.no
authors: Kristine
authors: K
authors: Rørtveit
authors: Elisabeth
authors: E
authors: Severinsson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001155:Art Therapy; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000379:methods*; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D007857:Leadership; D008875:Middle Aged; D036301:Qualitative Research; D016387:Women's Health; D055815:Young Adult