Characteristics of Benefit-finding in People with Mental Illness

Abstract

PurposeThis study aims to qualitatively examine the characteristics of benefit-finding in people with mental illness living in community and being hospitalized in Japan. MethodA cross-sectional questionnaire survey of people with mental illness aged 20 years and above was conducted from June to September 2008 in Japan. The questionnaire included an open-ended question about benefit-finding. Of 193 participants who gave informed consent, valid data from 107 participants were analyzed through content analyses by Berel-son. ResultsThe seven benefit-finding categories derived from content analyses were as follows: growth in relationships/awareness about relationships, personal growth/change of values in life, health-related behavioral changes/self management, growing interest or understanding of mental illness, finding a new role in society, religious growth, and others. ConclusionThe results of this study demonstrated that there are various benefit-finding themes for people with mental illness in Japan, and the features were rather common to those observed in previous studies of people with various chronic physical conditions.