An Interview Study on "Providing Structure" as an Intervention in Psychiatric Inpatient Care: The Nursing Perspective

To gain insight into nurses' perceptions and use of providing structure (PS) as an intervention during psychiatric inpatient care.

Interviews were conducted with nurses (n = 18) from two inpatient wards in psychiatry immediately following the occurrence of a PS event. This was done immediately following the occurrence of a PS event. Transcripts were analyzed using a qualitative coding process.

Four general and 14 specific PS activities were described associated with the nursing intervention PS.

Nurses can now refer to specific activities of PS. An elaborated definition of PS is provided to facilitate a better understanding and using of PS as a psychiatric nursing intervention.