The therapeutic aspects of acceptance

Area of Science:

• Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing
• Adolescent Psychology
• Qualitative Research

Background:

• Hospitalized adolescents often face unique psychological challenges.
• Understanding the patient experience is crucial for effective therapeutic relationships.
• The role of acceptance in adolescent psychiatric care requires further exploration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the meaning of acceptance for hospitalized adolescents.
• To understand how adolescents experience acceptance from psychiatric-mental health nurses.

Main Methods:

• Phenomenological research approach.
• Semi-structured interviews with hospitalized adolescents (N=6) on a psychiatric unit.
• Exploration of lived experiences of acceptance.

Main Results:

• Acceptance by nurses is perceived as friendship.
• Experiencing acceptance fosters a sense of well-being.
• Acceptance cultivates feelings of comfort and security with the nurse.

Conclusions:

• Adolescents view accepting nurses as supportive friends.
• Nurse acceptance enhances adolescent well-being and comfort.
• Therapeutic relationships built on acceptance empower adolescents.