Coercion and the Mentally Ill: Ethical Perspectives

Abstract

Legal procedures have long been implemented to protect the rights of persons with mental illness, to mandate treatment for those unable to care for themselves, and to protect society from dangerous behavior. Although legal, mandated treatment poses ethical concerns. This article analyzes ethical issues emerging from a case study. Ethical principles, considered within a common morality framework, are applied to consider dilemmas inherent in the case study. A care-ethics lens is then introduced to enrich the ethical perspective and offer additional options for individualized and respectful resolutions. Considerations for nursing practice and research are offered. J Am Psychiatr Nurses Assoc, 2007; 13(2), 101-108.