Theories of recovery elicited from individuals diagnosed with psychiatric disabilities.

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

This study examined the personal theories and stories of fifteen adults regarding how they recovered from serious psychiatric disability. This study used qualitative, in-depth interviews. Interviews were analyzed using a grounded theory approach. Symbolic interactionism provided the initial theoretical framework.
Participants were consumer-providers of mental health services. “Consumer providers” were defined as persons diagnosed with a serious psychiatric disability. Current or former users of mental health services, they now provide mental health services to others with psychiatric disabilities.
Participants' accounts of recovery contained a mix of stories and personal theories grounded in their lived experience. They indicated that recovery was a complex and dynamic process of personal growth, transformation and development. This process involved complex identity-related transformations resulting from interactions of environmental and personal factors.
More specifically, participants indicated that the most important aspect of their recovery involved the transformation of an illness-dominated identity to an identity marked by competence and well-being. Participants identified the existence of supportive relationships, meaningful activities and effective traditional and alternative treatments as influential factors in their overall recovery from psychiatric disabilities. Recovery was also influenced by participants' own personal beliefs and expectations about their capacity to recover and live satisfying lives.
The consumer providers who participated in this study provided important findings and fresh understanding about the recovery process. While symbolic interactionism was a useful theoretical framework, two other theories provided useful and important ways to interpret this study's findings. Self-efficacy theory and the theory of possible selves also enhanced understanding of the dynamics of the recovery process. Implications for future research, policy, and practice are presented in conclusion.