Boendepersonalens uppfattningar kring socialt stöd
SummaryIntroductory: Since the mid-90s, the numbers of places in psychiatric inpatient settings have decreased and accommodations for individuals with schizophrenia have become increasingly common. In addition to the basic needs that we humans have, individuals with schizophrenia may be in need of special support. Social support can be seen as a protective factor for maintaining health and the recovery of the individual. Lack of social support has shown to be linked to mental illness. The extent of need and support of individuals with mental disabilities may be such that they live in a special accommodation where such assistance can be provided by staff. Purpose: The purpose of this project is to highlight the perceptions of social support among staff in a special accommodation for individuals with schizophrenia. Method: Three accommodation staff participated in a focus group interview. The material from the interview was analysed through content analysis. Results: The analysis revealed the following themes: To provide a multi-faceted support, to replace the roles and networks that the residents do not have, to have a desire to activate, wanting to support but do not feel that they have the possibility and to see results of social support can be hard. The result of the project shows that social support for the accommodation staffs means different interventions for the residents and to create security and trust. Accommodation staff speaks about the complexities of meeting the residents in various roles. For accommodation staff roles can be expressed as a parent, an adult or a friend. There is a desire among accommodation staff that all residents should be able to work. There is also a willingness in the staff to support the residents more actively and at the same time, they cannot go against the residents own will and desire. Accommodation staff is experiencing the result of the support given in the residents daily lives and that their availability may contribute to increased security and confidence. Accommodation staff talks about the support they provide can prevent readmission to inpatient care. Conclusion: This project demonstrates what social support means for accommodation staff in their daily work, accommodation staff's various interventions for residents. The result also highlights the accommodation staff perceptions of the complexity they experience in supporting the residents, to assume various supporting roles and the desire to support but also on perceived barriers. The project also highlights how accommodation staff perceives the results of the support they give, here the accommodation staff talks about security, increase the confidence of the residents and that their support can affect the re-admission.Keywords: schizophrenia, social support, accommodation staff, accommodation