A Constructivist Grounded Theory of Self-Neglect From the Lived Experience of Participants With Serious Mental Illness

J Psychiatr Ment Health Nurs. 2026 Feb 21. doi: 10.1111/jpm.70113. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: People with serious mental illness are at high risk for self-neglect. To develop effective intervention strategies, it is important to understand the participant’s own needs to overcome self-neglect.

AIM: This study aimed to create a theoretical framework revealing the structure of self-neglect based on the lived experiences of participants with serious mental illness.

METHODS: The study was based on the constructivist grounded theory approach. Data were collected from 24 participants using a semi-structured interview form and analysed using constant comparative analysis. The study was reported in accordance with the Guideline for Reporting and Evaluating Grounded Theory Research.

RESULTS: Analysis yielded the core category navigating self-neglect in the context of serious mental illness, representing a dynamic process through which participants experienced a gradual erosion of self-care and agency. The core category interacted with three other categories: being drawn into self-neglect, health problems that turn the wheel of self-neglect, and overcoming self-neglect: the need for balancing and compensatory factors.

CONCLUSION: This study provides a theoretical framework of self-neglect of participants with serious mental illness. It can help mental health nurses understand the structure of self-neglect and can facilitate the development of interventions that will prevent self-neglect and compensate for its effects.

PMID:41721578 | DOI:10.1111/jpm.70113