A Phenomenological Study of the Lived Experiences of Psychology Graduates in their First Interview with a Patient with Mental Illness

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

In this study, the researchers explored the lived experiences of Psychology graduates in their first interview with a patient with mental illness. This study also aimed to know the challenges of Psychology graduates in their first interview to a patient with mental illness, to determine how they face the challenges they have experienced, and to determine how the challenges help them to stay in their current job.

METHODS

The researchers used a phenomenological method of research. Three (3) respondents of the study who were classified as Psychology graduates were selected by the used of snowball sampling. The phenomenological research study was performed by giving a set of open-ended questions about their experiences and yielded qualitative data that was analyzed from an interpretative viewpoint. The data was transcribed, interpreted, and encoded using Thematic Analysis by Braun and Clarke (2006).

RESULTS

This study aimed to determine the lived experiences of Psychology graduates in their first interview with a patient with mental illness. Based on the response of the three (3) respondents, the researchers found out that attitudinal problem of the patient and trust issues of the interviewer are the challenges that Psychology graduates experienced during their first interview to a patient with mental illness. Furthermore, they faced those challenges by developing their self-encouragement, holistic perspective, and sympathy towards the patient's feelings. Also, the challenges they have experienced helped them stay in their current job as it helped them improve their interpersonal skills.

DISCUSSIONS

The results demonstrated the different experiences of Psychology graduates in their first interview with a patient with mental illness. It also showed that they developed self-encouragement, holistic perspective, and sympathy towards the patient's feelings as they experienced challenges in interviewing a patient with mental illness.