Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/2440/95126
Type: Thesis
Title: Exploring the meaning of low self-esteem that is inherent in depression, an interpretive phenomenological study.
Author: Fisher, Katie Louise
Issue Date: 2014
School/Discipline: School of Nursing
Abstract: The purpose of this research was to explore the lived experience of low self esteem inherent in depression for participants who directly accessed mental health care in a rural mental health service in the South East Region of South Australia. Five participants were interviewed. Data was collected from interviews in which participants reflected on the connection of low self esteem often inherent in depression in nine domains of life and how this had impacted on the participant’s day to day life. Data was collected using a phenomenological methodology, and the data was analysed using Colaizzi’s7 step method. Meaning was aggregated into themes using the structure of cognitive behavioural therapy to explore the interaction of cognition, behaviour, physiology and affect. Results illustrated a significant negative experience of low self esteem in depression with associated thoughts and behaviours. These thoughts and behaviours maintained suffering and distress in all domains of life except spirituality and to a lesser degree citizenship. Participant’s experience of the mental health service was generally viewed as worthwhile. This research confirms the value of psychological interventions by skilled health professionals. The subjective experience of low self esteem appeared to have become a part of life, not dissimilar to an addiction whereby people do not know how to live without it. The experience of low self esteem in depression for the participants was a long battle and gaining new insights through contact with mental health services may be viewed as too little too late. The research demonstrated the long term benefits of a co-ordinated approach to early interventions within the primary and secondary education system. With the estimated rates of depression on the rise there is a challenge for mental health professionals at the grass roots level to disseminate vital information to young people about the complexity of the mind. Understanding the experience of low self esteem in depression during our formative years may abort these negative experiences before they become entrenched and gain a psychological hold, which may develop into the formation of unhelpful habitual thoughts and unhelpful habitual behaviours, and loss of life through suicide.
Advisor: Wilson, Anne
Crouch, Rosanne
Foley, David C.
Green, Cheryl
Dissertation Note: Thesis (M.Nurs.Sc.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Nursing, 2014
Keywords: coursework; low self-esteem; depression; lived experience; domains of life; qualitative nursing research
Provenance: [Master of Nursing Science] by coursework
This electronic version is made publicly available by the University of Adelaide in accordance with its open access policy for student theses. Copyright in this thesis remains with the author. This thesis may incorporate third party material which has been used by the author pursuant to Fair Dealing exceptions. If you are the owner of any included third party copyright material you wish to be removed from this electronic version, please complete the take down form located at: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/legals
Appears in Collections:School of Nursing

Files in This Item:
File Description SizeFormat 
01front.pdf204.1 kBAdobe PDFView/Open
02whole.pdf1.06 MBAdobe PDFView/Open
Permissions
  Restricted Access
Library staff access only178.09 kBAdobe PDFView/Open
Restricted
  Restricted Access
Library staff access only874.42 kBAdobe PDFView/Open


Items in DSpace are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.