Current psychological interventions on acute inpatient wards: An exploration of service users’ experience of mindfulness

This thesis focuses on understanding psychological interventions in acute inpatient services. A review of the literature highlights some benefits of psychological interventions on acute wards both for service users (SUs) enhancing their wellbeing and acquiring new learning and also economically, reducing admissions and the number of inpatient beds. It is acknowledged that research in this area is limited and therefore to better understand SUs experience of psychological interventions on acute inpatient wards, a study was completed focusing on SUs experience of a mindfulness intervention. Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), the resultant themes included a process towards self-actualisation, mentalization, locus of control and cognitive strategies. These findings are discussed in relation to clinical implications for health care professionals on acute inpatient wards. It is highlighted that SUs would benefit from having choices of interventions such as mindfulness, and that these interventions are delivered as a ward ethos in which both staff members and SUs engage in the practice of mindfulness. The researcher mindfully reflected on the research journey considering reflexivity, epistemology and ethical issues.