DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF THE INTERPERSONAL CARING THEORY
The initial step of developing the IC theory stemmed from a qualitative study that focused on the lived experiences of long-term psychiatric patients (Kim, 1989). Using Glaser and Strauss’ (1967) grounded theory approach, which generates theory from data gathered from people living their ordinary everyday lives, the lived experiences of 13 persons with serious mental illness (SMI) who were diagnosed with schiz- ophrenia (9 persons), manic-depressive disorder (1 person), and schizo-affective disorder (3 persons) were revealed. The research question asked was, “Would you share with me how you have lived all these years as a person with mental illness?” In their own lengthy but incredible stories, participants mentioned several times such comments as “I was cared for as a human, which made me feel better about myself and value myself, and strengthened me to go forward” or “being cared for motivated me to take care of myself better, to get well.”
One person who was diagnosed with schizophrenia 10 years ago said: “When that nurse helped me with such good caring, I felt good...you know I was cared for! ... All of a sudden I felt that I am an important person..., she listened and talked to a patient like a friend...helped me to think about myself...as a worthy human being, not a jerk, you see. Those kinds of feelings were good and made me keep going...I decided to take care of myself better. I started taking my medication regularly.”