• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.13 no.11
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• pp.213-220
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to search stigma experiences of family members who take care of their mental illness patients. Participants consist of three parents, one child, one brother of mental illness patient. The period to collect data was from June to October 2010. We collected the data through depth interview with participants and observance of them. The data was analyzed using phenomenal analysis suggested by Giorgi. As a result, meaningful technologies abstracted from original data were 217, and based on these we induced 26 themes by grouping them with more abstract and integrated language and seven central meanings were induced herein again. Seven central meanings are about stigma of family members of mental illness patients and they are as follows: 'Improper dealing, loss of relationship with surrounding persons, oneself cannot be revealed, conflict with others, unbearable sympathy, incapacity of oneself, buck-passing of oneself'. This study could be a scientific base data to the development of efficient nursing intervention and to understand the pains of mental illness patients and their family members who inevitably have to be separated from the society by recognizing the meaning of stigma to them.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.135-143
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• 2021

End-of-life patients experience physical, mental, social, and existential distress. While medical personnel provide medication and care to alleviate patients' distress, listening to and interacting with patients remains essential for understanding their psychological condition. The most important tool, though difficult to implement in practice, is end-of-life discussion (EOLD). EOLD has been shown to have positive effects on end-of-life treatment choices, achievement of patients' life goals, improvements in the quality of life of patients and their families, and the prevention of depression and complicated grief among bereaved family members. EOLD is not often undertaken in clinical practice, however, due to hesitancy among medical personnel and patients for various reasons. In order to conduct an EOLD, the patient's judgment, psychiatric illnesses such as delirium and depression, and psychological issues such as the side effects of psychotropic drugs, denial, and collusion must be evaluated. Open and honest conversation, treatment goal setting, the doctor's familiarity with the patient's background, and attentiveness when providing information are important elements for any dialogue. Meaning-centered psychotherapy was developed to alleviate the existential distress of cancer patients, and its application may promote EOLD. The future development of meaning-centered psychotherapy in practice and in research is expected to further promote EOLD.