Severely and persistently mentally ill in Hawaii: profile and implications

This study examines the characteristics, treatment, and care of severely and persistently mentally ill clients at Hawaii's largest public-sector psychiatric facility, Hawaii State Hospital. The implications of this information are discussed in terms of treatment and care. As was found in previous studies, the 88 participants included in this study were mostly male, less than 40 years of age, with a high school education or less, and hospitalized under a penal code. More remarkable variations were revealed, however, when clients were grouped according to ethnicity and racial origin. For example, clients from marginalized groups had a significantly higher likelihood of violence than clients from more politically, economically, and socially powerful groups in Hawaii. The findings of this research challenge nurses to combine social advocacy with clinical expertise to provide effective and complete treatment and care.