Social Intervention in Psychiatric Disorders

Abstract

The objective of psychiatric reforms since the mid-1950s has been to resettle chronically mentally ill patients from large custodial institutions to community settings. Reform practice has changed the perception of mental illness. Enabling disabled persons to live a normal life in the community causes a shift away from a focus on an illness model toward a model of functional disability. Social role functioning including social relationships, work and leisure, as well as quality of life of the persons affected developed as a core target of psychiatric rehabilitation. The overall philosophy of psychiatric rehabilitation comprises two social intervention strategies: the first strategy is individual-centered and aims at developing the patient's skill in interacting with a stressful environment. The second strategy is an ecological approach directed toward developing environmental resources to reduce potential stressors. Most disabled persons need a combination of both approaches. On more specific individual-centered levels, social interventions encompass social skills training, family intervention, and vocational training. Reducing potential stressors in the environment include the provision of sheltered living accommodation and work. Also financial resources have to be secured to meet basic needs. The article explains in detail the theoretical background as well as several social intervention strategies.