title: Looking beyond the illness: forensic service users' perceptions of rehabilitation.
abstract: The aim of this qualitative study was to explore perspectives on rehabilitation of those detained in a New Zealand forensic hospital setting. Twenty forensic service users participated in individual interviews, which were audio-taped, transcribed verbatim, and subjected to thematic analysis. The analysis identified seven themes that were broadly categorized into those that concerned the rehabilitation context (external) and those that more directly reflected the forensic service user's personal experience (internal). External themes highlighted a person-centered approach, the nature of relationships with staff, consistency of care, and awareness of the rehabilitation pathway. Internal themes related to forensic service users' self-evaluations, agency, and coping strategies. These findings are discussed within the broader context in which rehabilitation took place.
authors.affiliation: Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia.
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Barnao
authors.affiliation: Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand Tony.Ward@vuw.ac.nz.
authors.forename: Tony
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ward
authors.affiliation: Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia.
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Casey
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005555:Forensic Psychiatry; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000592:standards*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand
keywords: forensic mental health; rehabilitation; service users’ perspectives; thematic analysis