The defining characteristics of support. Results of a research project

Support is a central concept in nursing practice; not only for psychiatric nurses, but for all nurses. Yet, the ambiguity about the definition of support is troubling. More importantly, nurses are "doing things" to and for patients, but are these interventions truly supportive? What kinds of support do our patients want and need? As nursing advances towards a scientific basis for practice, we must be clear about the what and why of our actions (Sebastian, 1990). As nurses become more outcome oriented, we must know what patients value in their treatment. This study is an initial attempt to clarify for psychiatric nurses the concept of support; may it be the first of many.