Catalogue

Title details

SN:	4890
Title:	Severalls Hospital: Interviews for 'Madness in its Place', 1913-1997
Persistent identifier:	10.5255/UKDA-SN-4890-1
Depositor(s):	Gittins, D., University of Essex. Department of Sociology
Principal investigator(s):	Gittins, D., University of Essex. Department of Sociology
Sponsor(s):	North East Essex Mental Health NHS Trust

Subject Categories

Abstract

This research is based on the life stories of patients and workers at a large psychiatric hospital in Essex and presents a social history of British psychiatric care in the twentieth century. The memories and narratives of patients and workers who lived, or were employed in Severalls Psychiatric Hospital provide a personal account of day-to-day life, contextualised both in relation to wider developments and issues in twentieth century mental health, and in relation to policies and changes in the hospital itself. Drawing upon both quantitative and qualitative material, the research deals with key areas such as gender divisions, power relations, patterns of admission and discharge, treatments, and the daily lives and routines of patients and nurses on the wards. A booklet produced to mark the Hospital's closure in 1997 featuring many contemporary and historical photographs is included (images 1-28). In addition a number of detailed plans of the estate have also been digitized (images 29-36). The latter have been scanned at high resolution to allow detailed study. This collection had previously existed in the UKDA catalogue as a virtual archive deposit.

Main Topics: Hospitals; hospital admissions; mental health; psychiatric treatment; medical treatment; doctors; nurses; patients; gender; everyday life; institutions; occupational life.

Coverage, universe, methodology

Time period:	01 January 1913 - 01 January 1997
Dates of fieldwork:	1995, 1997
Country:	England
Geography:	Colchester Essex
Spatial units:	No spatial unit
Observation units:	Individuals
Kind of data:	Textual Image Numeric
Universe:	Subnational Past and present Severalls' staff and patients
Time dimensions:	Cross-sectional (one-time) study
Sampling procedures:	Purposive selection/case studies
Number of units:	30; plus 56 image files
Method of data collection:	Face-to-face interview; Compilation or synthesis of existing material
Weighting:	Not applicable

Keywords

ANXIETY DISORDERS	BEHAVIOURAL DISORDERS	CARE IN THE COMMUNITY
CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY	COGNITION DISORDERS	COLCHESTER
COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES	DEPRESSION	DRUG EFFECTS
DRUG SIDE-EFFECTS	DRUG THERAPY	DRUG-PSYCHOTHERAPY COMBINATION TREATMENT
DRUGS	EMOTIONAL DISTURBANCES	EMPLOYMENT
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY	EVERYDAY LIFE	GENDER
HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATION	HOSPITAL SERVICES	HOSPITALIZATION
INSTITUTIONAL IDENTITY	INSTITUTIONS	INTELLECTUAL IMPAIRMENT
MEDICAL CARE	MEDICAL PRESCRIPTIONS	MENTAL DISORDERS
MENTAL HEALTH	MENTALLY DISABLED PERSONS	MENTALLY ILL
MENTALLY VULNERABLE PERSONS	NERVOUS BREAKDOWN	NEUROTIC DISORDERS
NURSES	OCCUPATIONAL LIFE	ORAL HISTORY
PATIENTS	PERSONALITY DISORDERS	PHYSICIANS
PRESCRIPTION DRUGS	PSYCHIATRISTS	PSYCHIATRY
PSYCHOTHERAPY	SCHIZOPHRENIA	STATE HEALTH SERVICES
SURGERY

Administrative and access information

Date of release:
First edition:	06 October 2004
Latest edition:	26 June 2007 ( Edition 2 )
Copyright:	Copyright D. Gittins
Access conditions:	The depositor has specified that registration is required and standard conditions of use apply. The depositor may be informed about usage. See terms and conditions of access for further information.
Availability:	UK Data Service
Contact:	Get in touch

Documentation

Related studies and guides

Related case studies:

Using qualitative data to explore relationships, behaviours, job practices and history of mental health nursing

Related support guides:

Thematic guide: oral history (using qualitative data)
ESDS Qualidata teaching resource: exploring non-interview methods

Publications