The tune of want in the loneliness melody – loneliness experienced by people with serious mental suffering

Abstract

The prime purpose of this article is to present the results of a study of the significance of loneliness in patients with serious psychiatric disease, who live alone at home. This empirical study lasted about 1 year. Participatory observation, talks with the researcher and conversational qualitative interviews were employed. There were eight informants with serious psychiatric illnesses who lived alone in a large city. Throughout the year, a gradual and deeper understanding of the informants' loneliness was sought through the interpretation process. Want as a common fate become visible as an ideographical invariance through summative discussions about the right to life. The results have implications for caring and nursing practice.