Abstract
The requirement in contemporary society to adapt to convention can suggest that individuals with mental health problems have restricted possibility to make their own decisions. Cooperation and interaction with persons suffering from severe mental disability is a challenging task. The aim of this study is to identify and clarify how personnel who are working in a front-line institution experience those with a severe mental handicap are provided with the possibility for self-determination and experience of purpose.
Co-operative inquiry research was the overall design, and multistage focus group interviews with 12 mental health workers were the intervening strategy. The study revealed that attitudes controlled by the values of respect, freedom and happiness provide a good basis for severely mentally handicapped persons to gain increased control of their own life. Self-determination for these individuals requires that relationships are more permanent. The foundation of values and awareness of one's own basic views is significant for individual care.