New investigation results, 'An existential place of pain'the essence of despair in women,' are detailed in a study published in Issues In Mental Health Nursing. 'While there is a substantive body of knowledge on depression, little is known about the experience of despair. Though the terms depression and despair are often used interchangeably, studies of despair suggest that it is distinguishable from depression as experienced by women,' researchers in the United States report (see also Mental Health).
'This study explored women's experience of despair through qualitative interviews with 14 women ages 28 to 55 (M=45) who self-identified as experiencing despair. Three themes emerged: 'Crippling and Debilitating,' 'There's Nothing You Can Do,' and 'It'll Never End.' The findings lend support to the notion that despair is distinguishable from depression, but this warrants further study. The findings also suggest that while there are common elements of despair among women, there are also unique experiences of despair. While there is a substantive body of knowledge on depression, little is known about the experience of despair. This phenomenological study explored women's experience of despair through qualitative interviews with 14 women ages 28 to 55 (M=45) who self-identified as experiencing despair,' wrote N. Scroggs and colleagues, University of North Carolina.
The researchers concluded: 'Three themes emerged: 'Crippling and Debilitating,' 'There's Nothing You Can Do,' and 'It'll Never End.' The findings suggest that women desire to have their experiences recognized and validated while simultaneously receiving acknowledgment of their ability to overcome the past and to shape their own destinies.'
Scroggs and colleagues published their study in Issues In Mental Health Nursing ('An existential place of pain'the essence of despair in women. Issues In Mental Health Nursing, 2010;31(7):477-82).
For additional information, contact N. Scroggs, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, School of Nursing, 320 McIver Street, Greensboro, NC 27402 USA.
Publisher contact information for the journal Issues In Mental Health Nursing is: Taylor & Francis Group Ltd, 2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxford OX14 4RN United Kingdom.
Keywords: City:Greensboro, State:NC, Country:United States, Mental Health.
This article was prepared by Mental Health Weekly Digest editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2010, Mental Health Weekly Digest via NewsRx.com.
