Positive mental health of patients at a psychiatric hospital, Gauteng province, South Africa

BACKGROUND: Positive mental health (PMH) forms the basis of well-being and positive mind set, which includes a range of cognitive-emotional attributes and coping skills of an individual towards the family and society. Assessment of PMH in psychiatric patients is critical in understanding their needs, improving mental health and the treatment of their illnesses. AIM: To investigate the levels of PMH among patients attending the outpatient department at a public sector tertiary referral psychiatric hospital using the multidimensional PMH instrument. SETTING: Adult psychiatric patients attending the outpatient department at a public sector tertiary referral hospital, Gauteng province, South Africa. METHODS: A quantitative, cross-sectional and descriptive study was conducted using a multi-dimensional PMH instrument with a convenient sample of 346 outpatients who provided consent. RESULTS: Females reported significantly high PMH scores (3.86 vs 3.6; p = 0.018) compared to males. Patients with higher education (Gr. 0–7 vs Gr. 8–12 vs Tertiary education, PMH scores 3.34 vs 3.75 vs 4.18; p < 0.001), being married (single vs married, 3.67 vs 3.81, p = 0.342) and employed (unemployed vs employed, 3.62 vs 3.97, p = 0.005) reported significantly high total PMH score and across various domains. CONCLUSION: The results of the study highlighted the multi-dimensionality of mental health and justified importance of evaluating the domains of PMH in mental health care users. Identifying the reasons for the deficits in the PMH domains and implementing coping strategies will improve the emotional and psychological well-being of patients. CONTRIBUTION: Examining the PMH domains will assist healthcare workers intervene to improve the mental health of patients.