Background:

Returning home after an inpatient psychiatric admission is a difficult and complex process that requires individuals to reintegrate into their daily lives. This presents itself as a transitional challenge to overcome and that is, for this very reason, a focus that generates health care needs to which nursing must respond.

Aim:

To identify, examine and map the range of adult´s experiences in their return home after being discharged from an acute psychiatric care unit; to produce a summary of results of all relevant literature.

Methods:

Scoping review based on Arksey & O’Malley (2005) with research in 8 databases until March 17th 2018.

Results:

We have included 9 publications, pertaining to 8 studies, which show that participants’ experiences comprehend: dealing with an unsteady emotional path; living with a lurking mental illness; readjusting to everyday life; dealing with recurring difficult contingences; facing social stigma and discrimination; valuing meaningful relationships; being supported by health services, medication compliance, managing hospitalization effects on identity, and finally an awakening recovery.

Conclusions:

The experiences of this particular return home are very complex and idiosyncratic, establishing discharge as a process that involves more than the formal moment of leaving the hospital. The need for a transitional structured care, where mental health nurses can have a relevant role in assisting these individuals is evident. Limited literature was found, and more research has to be developed in order to better comprehend returning home after psychiatric admission, with an emphasis on research in non-English speaking countries, on the transition after a first admission, and on the transition for age or diagnosis specific groups.

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