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Gaining Personhood of People with Mentally Illnesses

Research Project

Project/Area Number 17530374
Research Category

Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)

Allocation TypeSingle-year Grants
Section一般
Research Field Sociology
Research InstitutionSaitama prefectural university

Principal Investigator

KATO Tomoko  Saitama Prefectural University, Occupational Therapy, instructor, 保健医療福祉学部, 講師 (80315720)

Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) IMOTO Katumi  Saitama Prefectural University, Occupational Therapy, instructor, 保健医療福祉学部, 講師 (90336496)
Project Period (FY) 2005 – 2006
Project Status Completed (Fiscal Year 2006)
Budget Amount *help
¥2,000,000 (Direct Cost: ¥2,000,000)
Fiscal Year 2006: ¥400,000 (Direct Cost: ¥400,000)
Fiscal Year 2005: ¥1,600,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,600,000)
KeywordsThe Mentally Ill / Life Stories / Self Concept / Narratives / 認識 / 関係性
Research Abstract

The purpose of the study was to answer the two questions ; a) what are the difficulties the mentally ill face throughout their normalization processes? b) what coping strategies they employ in order to combat identified difficulties? Thirteen informants participated in the study to narrate life stories. For the first question ; the participants identified treatment not with dignity as the most difficult. They stated that the difficulty was not their illness, but the fact that they had not been treated with dignity. The participants identified treatments they received in a uncaring manner as the most difficult thing they had to persevere. The following were specific difficulties they faced: a) medical staff's oblivious or uncaring manner toward the participants' aspirations in future ; b) shattered dreams of getting back to normal life that included having regular jobs and getting married : c) treated as inadequate adults by medical staff ; d) regarded as idling individuals by co-workers at work ; and e) having to display behaviors as defense mechanism in an attempt to conceal the conditions in desperation. As a result, the participants regarded themselves as "valueless existence". Some of them were, however, able to transform themselves into "valued beings" because of the following factors : a) knowing their diagnoses ; b) facing with reality ; and c) having a good support system of physicians and co-workers they could trust. Until then, the participants were subject to being ordered. Instead of being told what to do including drug compliance, they started to gain their dependence including drug adherence, thanks to the support group with whom they shared their illness experiences. Through narrating their stories, they were able to develop a new self-concept.

Report

(3 results)
  • 2006 Annual Research Report   Final Research Report Summary
  • 2005 Annual Research Report
  • Research Products

    (3 results)

All 2005

All Journal Article (3 results)

  • [Journal Article] 病いと生きる2005

    • Author(s)
      加藤 朋子
    • Journal Title

      日本アジア研究 2

      Pages: 39-52

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      2006 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Journal Article] Gaining Personhood of People with Mentally Illnesses2005

    • Author(s)
      Tomoko Kato
    • Journal Title

      Journal of Japanese & Asian Studies Vol1.2

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      2006 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Journal Article] 病いと生きる2005

    • Author(s)
      加藤 朋子
    • Journal Title

      日本アジア研究 第2号

      Pages: 39-52

    • Related Report
      2005 Annual Research Report

URL: 

Published: 2005-04-01   Modified: 2016-04-21  

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