Development of salutogenic coping skills: experiences with daily challenges among young adults suffering from serious mental illness

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to explore experiences with daily challenges and the development of salutogenic copings skills among young adults with serious mental illness. METHODS: Nine young adults with serious mental illness were interviewed. The interviews were transcribed and subjected to reflexive thematic analysis. RESULTS: Two main themes were identified through the analysis: “The influence of symptoms in everyday life and challenges with participating in the community” and “Making the small things matter.” The findings show that different life experiences, or on-going challenges, often can affect or interfere their lives on a daily basis, and that previous experiences with psychosis can contribute to the development of salutogenic coping skills. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows the importance of increased knowledge and awareness of different life experiences and challenges among people with serious mental illness such as schizophrenia spectrum disorders. It is significant to strengthen the ability to identify and use appropriate resistance resources to promote salutogenic coping skills and thus better health. Furthermore, it is important to be aware that the development of salutogenic coping skills must be personalized to cultural contexts and society as well as supported by local communities, families and services.