Concept analysis of uncertainty in people with mental disabilities

Abstract

PurposeThis concept analysis clarified “uncertainty in people with mental disabilities”. MethodsThe research was conducted using Walker & Avant's conceptual analysis methodology. ResultsUncertainty in people with mental disabilities showed the defining attributes of “ambiguity,” “unpredictability,” “distrust,” and “lack of insight into illness,” of which “distrust” and “lack of insight” were unique to people with mental disabilities. Accordingly, it was defined as a state in which it is difficult to determine the treatment's timing because (1) the disease process is often too ambiguous to make a decision; (2) abnormal behavior can recur at any time while the patients are under treatment and in recovery; and (3) patients struggle to accept the illness, tend to distrust healthcare professionals and family, and show lack of knowledge, making them miss their treatment's timing and even making the expectation for recovery vague. ConclusionThe attributes of uncertainty in people with mental disabilities identified in this study confirmed that mental health professionals should proactively intervene to treat patients at an appropriate time and continuously manage them to prevent recurrence. Practice implicationThe study findings can be utilized in mental health research and in developing interventions to reduce uncertainty in people with mental disabilities, helping them recover and integrate into the community.