[Perceived stress in inpatient psychiatric facilities in connection with shared rooms: A qualitative secondary...

Perceived stress in inpatient psychiatric facilities in connection with shared rooms: A qualitative secondary analysis Abstract: Background: The occupancy of shared rooms plays a key role in the recovery process of patients in psychiatric facilities. Creating a favourable environment not only influences the ward climate, but also the potential for aggression. Aim: Identification of perceived stress caused by shared rooms in inpatient psychiatric facilities from the perspective of people with mental illness. Methods: This is a secondary analysis of cross-sectional data from individual interviews from a pilot study. As part of this study, episodic interviews were conducted with 18 people with different mental illnesses in Germany and analysed using thematic coding. Results: Seven categories were identified that reflect the burdens perceived by people with mental illness when they have to share multi-bed rooms with other patients: dynamics of communication, odours and noises, social and cultural background, sleep rhythm, symptoms of fellow patients, territoriality and privacy, sensory overload and stimulus shielding. Conclusion: The occupancy of multi-bed rooms with several patients in psychiatric facilities is associated with considerable stress and thus impairs the well-being of people with mental illnesses. A continuous evaluation of individual needs and preferences should be carried out both on admission and during the course of treatment. The findings of this study should be taken into account in future architectural planning of psychiatric wards.