Being autonomous: what do mental health services indicate?

• Published in: Revista gaúcha de enfermagem 2018-07, Vol.39, p.e63993-e63993
• Main Authors: Alves, Poliana Farias, Kantorski, Luciane Prado, Andrade, Ana Paula Müller de, Coimbra, Valéria Cristina Christello, Oliveira, Michele Mandagará de, Silveira, Karine Langmantel
• Format: Article
• Language: eng ; por
• Subjects: Activities of Daily Living; Adult; Brazil; Community Mental Health Services; Deinstitutionalization; Family - psychology; Female; Financial Management; Focus Groups; Humans; Male; Mental Disorders - psychology; Mental Disorders - rehabilitation; Middle Aged; Models, Theoretical; Negotiating; Outpatients - psychology; Personal Autonomy; Personal Satisfaction; Qualitative Research; Self-Management; Social Stigma; Urban Population; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0102-6933
• DOI: 10.1590/1983-1447.2018.63993

To build qualitative outcome indicators in psychosocial care regarding autonomy from the perspective of users and their families. This is an evaluative case study based on the dialectical hermeneutics theoretical framework, conducted at a mental health community service, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The first stage of data collection occurred between February and July 2014, and consisted of constructing indicators based on qualitative data analysis of the two evaluative studies conducted at this same service. The second stage, between August and September 2014, consisted of validating the indicators constructed through the focus groups with nine users and nine family members. The users and relatives stated three qualitative indicators related to their autonomy resulting from their insertion in the service. The indicators were better self-management of income, improved everyday activities, and greater bargaining power. The methodology proved appropriate to create qualitative indicators, from the perspective of the participants, and revealed that the service helps users achieve autonomy.