A phenomenological framework for psychiatric nursing research

Abstract

This article describes a framework developed to support phenomenological research within the context of psychiatric nursing. Phenomenology involves the construction of social reality from the perspectives of those living within a situation. This research approach is of value to psychiatric nurses because of the essence of their practice and the unique nature of their clients' realities. Developing a phenomenological approach to research involves more than selecting a method to direct data collection and analysis. This framework integrates phenomenology as a philosophy and methodology with a method for analysis of the experience of living with a mental illness.