Women's experiences of participation in a feminist group for women with complex mental health issues

Emma Catherine Clements Eaton1, Rachel Cox

  • 1Mytton Oak Unit, Royal Shrewsbury Hospital North, South Staffordshire and Shropshire NHS Foundation Trust, Shrewsbury, UK.

A sample of women (n = 5) participated in a qualitative service evaluation concerning an open-ended, therapeutic group for women only. Data analysis followed suggestions by Halcomb and Davidson (2006). Main themes derived from the evaluation included: 'Groups are different from individual work', 'Belonging/ not being alone', 'Performance in the group', 'The group as a safety net', 'Life improvements and hope for the future' and 'The extent of emotional despair felt'. In this paper, several sub-themes within the main themes and relevant theories and implications for theory and service provision are discussed.

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