Towards a Person-Centered Care Model Among Community Mental Health Services

Michael Galea, Nathalie Mallia — Tue, 17 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0800

Mental illness is widespread among adults and remains the foremost cause of years lived with disability. Despite its importance, there is a scarcity of research on person-centered care (PCC) from the viewpoints of mental health service users, particularly within clinical community mental health services. This study sought to investigate the potential for enhancing PCC through the lived experiences of individuals with mental health conditions who use local community mental health clinics (CMHC) in Malta. The goal was to obtain a thorough understanding of the current landscape, evaluate its strengths and weaknesses, and identify strategies for evolving the system towards a more PCC-focused model.

A qualitative research design was utilized, following the principles of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) as described by Smith et al. (2009). Ten participants from Malta, including six women, who frequently visit CMHCs, were recruited through intermediaries. Each participant took part in a one-hour semi-structured interview, conducted at a mutually convenient time and location. These sessions were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim for subsequent analysis.

The analysis identified three main themes: Quality care, emotional support, and partnership and collaborative care, each comprising various sub-themes. The study illuminated both the strengths and shortcomings of the existing system and their implications for a PCC-oriented healthcare approach. While our findings reaffirm research on the critical role of empathy in care and other relevant factors, results also indicate that cultural factors in Malta, such as strong family ties, significantly influence the delivery of person-centered care (PCC), which may be relevant for other small communities. Furthermore, the research offers healthcare professionals (HCPs) a chance for ongoing professional development in accordance with the latest PCC principles.

The Public and Private Dimensions of Chinese Women's Bodies—From Reproductive Policies to Bodily

Yunning Wang — Mon, 04 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0800

This study examines the impact of China’s evolving reproductive policies and the recently implemented "cooling-off period" for divorce, underscoring how these shifts implicitly discipline women’s reproductive and marital autonomy. Despite the transition from the "One-Child Policy" to the "Three-Child Policy" appearing to offer increased reproductive choice, women’s decisions are still heavily influenced by family expectations, including pressure to bear male children, the demands of multiple births, and constraints on birthing choices. Such interventions not only intensify psychological pressures but also contribute to social issues like postpartum depression, suicide, and marital instability. By analyzing policies and relevant data, this paper reveals the combined influence of state and family on women’s reproductive behaviors and explores approaches to balance competing interests among the state, family, and individuals. Key recommendations include strengthening legal protections, expanding social support systems, and promoting cultural change to respect women’s autonomy over their reproductive choices. The broader implications of these policy adjustments emphasize the critical role of reproductive autonomy in achieving gender equality and sustaining social development. This issue transcends national borders, positioning it within the broader global movement for gender autonomy.

Humanities and Social Science Research

Towards a Person-Centered Care Model Among Community Mental Health Services

The Public and Private Dimensions of Chinese Women's Bodies—From Reproductive Policies to Bodily