The Living Experience of Hope of Peer Supporters with Mental Illness: Parse’s Research Method

Abstract

Purpose : This study is to understand the meaning and discover the structure by examining the living experience of hope of peer supporters with mental illness. Methods : To this end, I applied a qualitative research method based on Parse’s research method, and the research process included dialogical engagement, extraction-synthesis, and heuristic interpretation. Participants in the study were 12 volunteers who were diagnosed with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder and using the Y mental rehabilitation center in G City. Results : The structure confirmed through the analysis was, ‘The living experience of hope of peer supporters with mental illness is pride in despair, and challenges toward the possibility through a bond that acknowledges weakness’. They did not let go of hope while maintaining a state of dignity even in adversity, and they were making relentless efforts to transcend with possibility through the relationship. Conclusion : Through this study, the meanings of the principles and concepts of the humanbecoming theory were materialized, and it was confirmed that psychiatric mental health nurses should understand and approach the living experience of hope of peer supporters with mental illness from their point of view.