Jones & Learning, 2005
Understanding of another human being begins with understanding of the self.
“Know Thyself” is a basic tenet of psychiatric-mental health nursing. Understanding the self is an on-going process of becoming aware of one’s self where individuals willingly identify, process, and store information about themselves (self-evaluation). It allows an individual to differentiate their values, beliefs, personal boundaries, weaknesses, and strengths. This in turn, allows one to understand how they can affect others.
- Self-awareness is not only knowing what their mood is, but also how one feels about their mood.
- In the context of a nurse, having self-awareness allows them to understand variances between values and beliefs of different individuals; for mental health professionals to mark ego boundaries, where their beliefs end and other individuals’ beliefs start. It also helps them be more conscious of the use of their self, allowing them to use therapeutic interventions, avoiding awkwardness and spontaneity.
- Improves self-knowledge or acceptance (ergo self-confidence and self-esteem), self-regulation or control (better decision-making), self-improvement or development, and inferences about other individual’s mental states.
Self-Awareness Development Techniques
- Journaling: the reflection on one’s experiences through documentation (outside of therapy). It allows for better insight.
- Bibliotherapy: the use of self-help books (ideally through therapist recommendations).
- Manifesto: a description of an individual’s core values and beliefs, principles, and philosophy on life. It may also act as a call to action.
- Bucket List: aiding in the identification of personal and professional goals. Daily routines can lead to stagnation and the loss of conscious thought about long-term goals and desires.
- Personality Typing: understanding one’s personality can aid in understanding differences between the individual’s behaviors and attitudes compared to others. This may also aid in recognizing your own emotions
- Autobiography: how would you narrate your life to someone else?
- Reflection: some insight to yourself through guided questioning
- What are your strengths and weaknesses? List three of each.
- What do you value the most?
- Differentiate between what one can or cannot do by themselves?
- What feelings are you more aware of experiencing, as compared to others?
- What are your triggers i.e. people and situations that bring forth negative emotions?
- How do you respond under stress?
- How do your different roles make you feel? e.g. as a student, sibling, parent, significant other, etc.