Defense Date

8-18-2017

Graduation Date

Fall 1-1-2017

Availability

Immediate Access

Submission Type

dissertation

Degree Name

PhD

Department

Clinical Psychology

School

McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts

Committee Chair

Russell Walsh

Committee Member

Roger Brooke

Committee Member

Larry Davidson

Keywords

recovery-oriented care, recovery model, schizophrenia, qualitative research

Abstract

A recovery model of care has been widely accepted and instituted both in the U.S. and internationally, but research suggests that the model has not been employed uniformly. While existing research has focused on creating consensus regarding application of the model, the lived experience of those receiving the care has not yet been considered. In order to address this gap, the present study proposed a qualitative analysis of mental health consumers’ experiences of recovery-oriented care for schizophrenia. Potential participants were recruited through a Regional Mental Health Board and the author individually interviewed four participants in semi-structured interviews. A qualitative analysis was used to analyze the interviews. Themes were identified in individual narratives and were then compared across narratives to identify themes that were unique as well as points of convergence across participants. The results of the analysis supported the perception that implementation of recovery-oriented care had succeeded in increasing the inclusion of mental health consumers in decision-making, but suggest that consumers still often feel disrespected or powerless and feel anxiety about potential abuses of power by providers. Additionally, the results confirm that consumers who are further along in their recovery have access to fewer supports than might be appropriate and that there are instances in which even providers and clients who are aware of the recovery model are not appropriately making use of the model’s tools. Implications for improving implementation of recovery-oriented care and directions for future research are explored.

Language

English

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