Other Titles
Community Perspectives on the Physical Health of Individuals Living with Serious Mental Illness: The Qualitative Phase of a Mixed Methods Study [Title Slide]
Abstract
Background: Worldwide, individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) face challenges in caring for their physical and mental health (Firth et al., 2019). Illness symptoms, medication effects, poverty, and lack of attention by health professionals jeopardize their wellbeing and result in the early development of long-term diseases leading to early death (Hallyburton & Alison-Jones, 2022). The situation continues to worsen in spite of decades of awareness and recognition (Chan et al., 2023).
Objectives: To explore the perspectives of members of the mental health community about the context, barriers, and best practices for engaging individuals in wellness activities and healthy behaviors.
Methods: This qualitative study was guided by the methodology of Interpretive Description (Thorne, 2025). Data collection included Interviews and focus groups. Participants were recruited via community agencies, mental health services and the provincial health department and included individuals and family with lived experience of SMI, mental health professionals, community advocates and policy makers. Thirty-six community members provided consent. Two researchers used reflexive thematic analysis to code and develop the data (Braun & Clark, 2019).
Results: Three themes were identified that illustrate the complexity of the problem, as well as ways of moving forward. The data provided rich, collaborative knowledge that gave root to a set of principles and approaches for fostering engagement and strengthening healthy behaviors in the population. First, there is a low level of knowledge in the mental health community regarding the unique factors that directly and negatively impact the health of those with SMI. Second, structural barriers and vulnerabilities, particularly the impact of stigmatization, have a profound effect on the daily life of individuals living with SMI. The third theme coalesced around the creation of a culture of engagement and acceptance. Person-centred approaches that are individualized, provide choice and eliminate financial barriers are strongly endorsed. So too are opportunities to combine healthy activities with socialization.
Conclusion: Increased action by nurses and other health professionals is needed to counteract the injustices that befall those living with SMI. Person-centred support, coupled with community-based programs that integrate socialization with healthy activities, are essential for promoting long-term wellness among adults with SMI.
Notes
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References:
1.Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2019) Reflecting on reflexive thematic analysis. Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health, 11(4), 589-597. DOI: 10.1080/2159676X.2019.1628806
2.Chan, J. K. N., Correll, C. U., Wong, C. S. M., Chu, R. S. T., Fung, V. S. C., Wong, G. H. S., Lei, J. H. C., & Chang, W. C. (2023). Life expectancy and years of potential life lost in people with mental disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis. EClinicalMedicine, 65, 102294. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2023.102294
3.Firth, J., Siddiqi, N., Koyanagi, A., Siskind, D., Rosenbaum, S., Galletly, C., Allan, S., Caneo, C., Carney, R., Carvalho, A. F., Chatterton, M. L., Correll, C. U., Curtis, J., Gaughran, F., Heald, A., Hoare, E., Jackson, S. E., Kisely, S., Lovell, K., Maj, M., … Stubbs, B. (2019). The Lancet Psychiatry Commission: A blueprint for protecting physical health in people with mental illness. The Lancet. Psychiatry, 6(8), 675–712. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(19)30132-4
4.Hallyburton, A. & Allison-Jones, L. (2022). Mental health bias in physical care: An integrative review of the literature. Journal of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, 30(4):649-662. doi: 10.1111/jpm.12911
5.Thorne, S. (2025). Interpretive Description: Qualitative research for applied practice. (3rd edition) Routledge.
Sigma Membership
Non-member
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Interpretive Description
Research Approach
Qualitative Research
Keywords:
Health Equity or Social Determinants of Health, Public Community Health, Policy and Advocacy, Social Support, Mental Illness, Well-Being, Adults
Recommended Citation
Maddigan, Joy; Deeb, Ahmad; Bruneau, Jill; and Isler, Chantille, "Community Perspectives on the Health and Well-Being of Adults with Serious Mental Illness" (2026). International Nursing Research Congress (INRC). 181.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2026/presentations_2026/181
Conference Name
37th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Conference Year
2026
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Date of Issue
2026-08-22
Community Perspectives on the Health and Well-Being of Adults with Serious Mental Illness
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Background: Worldwide, individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) face challenges in caring for their physical and mental health (Firth et al., 2019). Illness symptoms, medication effects, poverty, and lack of attention by health professionals jeopardize their wellbeing and result in the early development of long-term diseases leading to early death (Hallyburton & Alison-Jones, 2022). The situation continues to worsen in spite of decades of awareness and recognition (Chan et al., 2023).
Objectives: To explore the perspectives of members of the mental health community about the context, barriers, and best practices for engaging individuals in wellness activities and healthy behaviors.
Methods: This qualitative study was guided by the methodology of Interpretive Description (Thorne, 2025). Data collection included Interviews and focus groups. Participants were recruited via community agencies, mental health services and the provincial health department and included individuals and family with lived experience of SMI, mental health professionals, community advocates and policy makers. Thirty-six community members provided consent. Two researchers used reflexive thematic analysis to code and develop the data (Braun & Clark, 2019).
Results: Three themes were identified that illustrate the complexity of the problem, as well as ways of moving forward. The data provided rich, collaborative knowledge that gave root to a set of principles and approaches for fostering engagement and strengthening healthy behaviors in the population. First, there is a low level of knowledge in the mental health community regarding the unique factors that directly and negatively impact the health of those with SMI. Second, structural barriers and vulnerabilities, particularly the impact of stigmatization, have a profound effect on the daily life of individuals living with SMI. The third theme coalesced around the creation of a culture of engagement and acceptance. Person-centred approaches that are individualized, provide choice and eliminate financial barriers are strongly endorsed. So too are opportunities to combine healthy activities with socialization.
Conclusion: Increased action by nurses and other health professionals is needed to counteract the injustices that befall those living with SMI. Person-centred support, coupled with community-based programs that integrate socialization with healthy activities, are essential for promoting long-term wellness among adults with SMI.
Description
Individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) experience one of the widest health equity gaps of the world's populations. Their lifespan is shorter by 10 to 20 years, mainly due to the early development of preventable physical diseases, such as metabolic syndrome. While this disparity has been recognized for decades, health systems are slow to respond. This study presents a community perspective on the physical health of those with SMI and strategies to strengthen their health and wellbeing.