The Meaning Construction and its Influencing Factors of the Adults’ Mental Disorder Experiences

[[abstract]]The purpose of this study was to explore the meaning construction and its influential factors of individuals’ personal experiences living with mental disorder. Most of them encountered stigma, identify crisis, unexpected changes of expectation from life, and loss as well as suffering experiences resulting from their disorder. This study adopted phenomenological research paradigm and purposive sampling method. The researcher conducted a semi-structured in-depth interview with four participants who had been diagnosed as having mental disorder. Main findings emerged from participants’ accounts of their personal experiences of mental disorder were listed as follows. I. Similarities and differences can coexist for participants to construct their meanings of mental illness. II. It has beneficial effect on the meaning construction process if the participants can make sense of their mental disorder experiences from the positive aspect. III. Participants’ experiences of both metal disorder and other life events are highly connected. IV. Religious beliefs are not the main means for participants to construct their meaning of mental disorders. V. Being informed about their mental illness will accelerate the mean construction process. VI. Being aware of their difference from others can situate participants’ readiness to search for meaning of their disorder experiences. VII. The constructed meaning can promote the participants’ both self-acceptance and adjustment to living with their mental disorder. Based on the results of this the study, implications for mental health professionals, school educators and general public as well as recommendations for future research are discussed and outlined