Experiences of dignity among hospitalized patients with schizophrenia – A Phenomenological-Hermeneutic Study

Background: Resource constraints, increasing biomedical focus, and standardized care may challenge the preservation of dignity in psychiatric nursing. Despite growing emphasis on person-centered care, little is known about how patients with schizophrenia experience dignity during hospitalization. Aim: To explore experiences of being treated with dignity among hospitalized patients with schizophrenia. Methods: A phenomenological-hermeneutic study based on four in-depth semi-structured interviews analyzed using a Ricoeur-inspired approach. Findings: Three themes emerged: Struggling to be treated as an individual, Being considered worth the time, and Creating relationships. Participants described dignity as closely linked to individualized care, meaningful interactions, and trusting relationships. A lack of dignity was experienced as hindering personal recovery. Conclusion: Preserving patients’ dignity is fundamental to psychiatric nursing and may support recovery. The findings suggest that dignity should be considered an important quality indicator in psychiatric mental health care.