Conceptualization Of Recovery Research Articles

Service users' perceptions of recovery from recent-onset psychosis and their long journey to and through psychiatric treatment.

A growing body of evidence highlights that individuals' understanding of mental illness and recovery influences their mental health care preferences. Journeys to psychiatric care settings vary across regions with different socio-economic and developmental characteristics. However, these journeys in low-income African countries have not been well explored. This descriptive qualitative study aimed to describe service users' journeys to and through psychiatric treatment and explore their conceptualizations of recovery from recent-onset psychosis. Nineteen adults with recent-onset psychosis were recruited from three hospitals in Ethiopia for an individual semi-structured interview. Data from in-depth face-to-face interviews were transcribed and thematically analysed. Participants' conceptualizations of recovery are summarized into four themes; "domination over the disturbance of psychosis", "complete medical treatment course and stay normal", "stay active in life with optimal functioning", and "reconcile with the new reality and rebuild hope and life". These perceptions of recovery were reflected in their accounts of the long and hurdled journey to and through conventional psychiatric care settings. Participants' perceptions of psychotic illness, treatment, and recovery seemed to result in delayed or limited care in conventional treatment settings. Misunderstandings about only requiring a limited period/course of treatment for a full and permanent recovery should be addressed. Clinicians should work alongside traditional beliefs about psychosis to maximize engagement and promote recovery. Integrating conventional psychiatric treatment with spiritual/traditional healing services may make an important contribution to early treatment initiation and improving engagement.

"Recovery" in mental health services, now and then: A poststructuralist examination of the despotic State machine's effects.

Recovery is a model of care in (forensic) mental health settings across Western nations that aims to move past the paternalistic and punitive models of institutional care of the 20th century and towardmore patient-centered approaches. But as we argue in this paper, the recovery-oriented services that evolved out of the early stages of this liberating movement signaled a shift in nursing practices that cannot be viewed only as improvements. In effect, as "recovery" nursing practices became more established, more codified, and more institutional(ized), a stasis developed. Recovery had been reterritorialized. The purpose of this paper is to examine some of the threads of recovery, from its early days of antipsychiatry activism to its codification into mental health-including forensic mental health-institutions through the lens of poststructuralist philosophers Gilles Deleuze and Felix Guattari. We believe that Deleuze and Guattari's scholarship provides the necessary, albeit uncomfortable, framework for this critical examination. From a conceptualization of recovery as an assemblage, we critically examine how we can go about creating something new, caught in a tension between stasis and change.

A call for autism-led research exploring definitions of recovery in Autistic individuals with an eating disorder.

It is now established that definitions of recovery in eating disorders (EDs) should be informed by the lived/living experience of individuals and consider a broad range of physical, behavioral, and psychological factors. Autism is a common co-occurring condition in EDs reflecting unique needs and experiences; however, very little research to date has explored definitions of recovery from EDs in Autistic populations. The current article will briefly review what we know about autism and EDs, before addressing how we can apply and extend what we know about broader ED recovery research to the unique needs of Autistic individuals with ED. We propose that future studies are urgently required exploring definitions and conceptualizations of recovery in Autistic individuals with EDs, rooted in autism-led, participatory research approaches and incorporating physical, behavioral, and psychological factors. Benefits and possible obstacles of implementing the proposed approach are discussed, before the authors outline specific suggestions for participatory designs and targets for future studies. Multidimensional and mixed method approaches to ED recovery will work toward integrating clinically measurable outcomes with lived/living experience perspectives. EDs are common in Autistic individuals, however, very little is known about definitions of ED recovery in this population. Cross-disciplinary, research-driven definitions involving lived/living experience at all stages of the research process will generate meaningful and translational research.

“Your struggles are valid, you are worthy of help and you deserve to recover”: narratives of recovery from orthorexia nervosa

PurposeLimited research has examined recovery processes and conceptualisations of recovery within orthorexia nervosa (ON). This study harnessed Instagram data to examine how people who self-identify with ON use the hashtag #OrthorexiaRecovery and how recovery is represented within this online space.Methods500 textual posts containing #OrthorexiaRecovery were extracted from Instagram. Co-occurring hashtags were analysed descriptively to determine whether this online space is specific to ON, and textual data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.ResultsThe hashtag analysis indicated that #OrthorexiaRecovery is being used within a wider context of eating disorder recovery and awareness, but also provides deep insights into experiences of recovery from ON. The thematic analysis generated five themes: the invisibility of orthorexia; a turbulent and continuous process; finding food freedom; from compulsive exercise to intuitive movement; a community of support. Our findings suggest that people with self-reported ON experience recovery as a continuous process and the current invisibility of ON within diagnostic criteria and wider society impedes recovery. While working towards recovery, users aimed to be free from diet culture, become more attuned to their bodies, and develop more adaptive relationships with food and fitness. Users noted a general lack of support for people with ON and so used this online space to create a supportive community, though some content was potentially triggering.ConclusionOur findings highlight the importance of increased recognition of ON and the potential value of targeting societal norms and harnessing social identity resources within therapeutic interventions for ON.

Examination of perfectionism and self-concept constructs across stages of eating disorder recovery in men: An exploratory study

ObjectiveThis study examined perfectionism and self-concept constructs across eating disorder recovery stages in men, using a conceptualization of recovery that encompasses physical, behavioral, and cognitive recovery. MethodParticipants were 35 men with an eating disorder history (Mage = 26.60 years, SD = 10.81), categorized as in full recovery, in partial recovery, or with a current eating disorder diagnosis/pathology, and 27 men with no eating disorder history (controls; Mage = 26.44 years, SD = 10.08). Data for determining recovery status were collected from surveys, interviews, and measured weight and height; perfectionism and self-concept were assessed via surveys. ResultsAmong the perfectionism constructs, the greatest magnitude of effect sizes involving the fully recovered group was for socially prescribed perfectionism where this group had lower levels of perfectionism than the eating disorder diagnosis/pathology group (Hedge's g = −1.72) or the partially recovered group (Hedge's g = −1.56). For the self-concept constructs, effect sizes involving the fully recovered group and the other recovery status groups were all large (absolute values: 0.76–1.58) and reflected a large magnitude of difference with fully recovered men having higher self-esteem and self-efficacy and lower social comparison than men with a current eating disorder diagnosis or pathology or those partially recovered. ConclusionFull recovery in men was associated with healthy self-concept constructs and with low socially prescribed perfectionism. Future research with larger samples should seek to replicate these findings and, using a longitudinal design, examine these constructs as potential predictors or maintenance factors of comprehensive eating disorder recovery in men.

Medical students’ perception towards mental health recovery: a descriptive qualitative study

ABSTRACT The conceptualisation of recovery in mental healthcare, for which two definitions (‘clinical’ and ‘personal’) prevail, remains inconclusive. In most curricula of medical education, undergraduates are taught straightforward concepts of clinical recovery, which result in their perfunctory and rudimentary understanding. A qualitative descriptive approach was adopted to explore medical undergraduates’ perceptions of recovery for people with mental health conditions. Participants were recruited from a Singapore-based university through convenience sampling; the required sample size was determined by data saturation. Individual face-to-face interviews were conducted through Zoom, an online conferencing platform using semi-structured questions from March to July 2021. Recordings of the interviews were transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed. The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) checklist guided the reporting of this study. Seventeen medical students with the majority (fifteen) of them in their fourth year of medical undergraduate education participated in this study. Four themes were identified: the relationship between mental illnesses and well-being; opinions on mental well-being; understanding of mental illnesses; and perceptions of recovery from mental illnesses. The medical undergraduates in this study predominantly conceptualised recovery based on functions, although many also agreed on respecting patients’ perspectives in defining it. This aligns with contemporary approaches that emphasise more shared decision-making opportunities and empowering people with mental health conditions. Accordingly, our findings highlighted the need for foundational medical education to incorporate these constructs in their curricula and strategise to provide more meaningful discussions about them.

Effects of peer-delivered self-management, recovery education interventions for individuals with severe and enduring mental health challenges: A meta-analysis.

WHAT IS KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT?: The paradigm shifts in the conceptualization of recovery have led to a wide adoption of peer-delivered self-management interventions among individuals with severe and enduring mental health challenges. Peers with experiential knowledge on managing their own mental health conditions act as role models for affected individuals. WHAT THE PAPER ADDS TO EXISTING KNOWLEDGE?: The meta-analysis demonstrated significant small-to-medium effects favouring such interventions on symptom severity, self-perceived recovery, hopefulness and empowerment. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE?: With peer-delivered self-management interventions, individuals with severe and enduring mental health challenges could self-direct their care, thus reducing their reliance on service providers. Individuals with severe and enduring mental health challenges equipped to seek their recovery within the community beyond institutional care, regaining independence and gradually reintegrate into society. ABSTRACT: Introduction The shift in mindset within mental health care has led to the adoption of peer-delivered self-management interventions in promoting recovery among individuals with severe and enduring mental health challenges. However, no reviews have hitherto examined their effectiveness. Aim To determine the effectiveness of peer-delivered self-management interventions in improving symptom severity, self-perceived recovery, hopefulness and empowerment. Method A search was performed in nine English databases for published studies and grey literature from inception to the 5 January 2021. The methodological quality of the studies was graded with the Joanna Briggs Institute's critical appraisal tools. The overall effects were pooled through a meta-analysis with heterogeneity evaluated via the chi-square test and I-square statistics. This review was guided by the PRISMA 2020 statement on transparent reporting of systematic review and meta-analyses. Results Seventeen publications involving 3189 participants were included in this review, and ten were included for the meta-analysis and accounted for 2725 participants. The meta-analysis demonstrated significant small-to-medium effects favouring such interventions on symptom severity, self-perceived recovery, hopefulness and empowerment. Discussion Peer-delivered self-management interventions should be implemented as it is effective in promoting recovery among individuals with severe and enduring mental health challenges. Implications for practice With peer-delivered self-management interventions, individuals with severe and enduring mental health challenges could self-direct their care and reduce their reliance on service providers.

\u201cYou can\u2019t un-ring the bell\u201d: a mixed methods approach to understanding veteran and family perspectives of recovery from military-related posttraumatic stress disorder

BackgroundMilitary-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a complex diagnosis with non-linear trajectories of coping and recovery. Current approaches to the evaluation of PTSD and treatment discontinuation often rely on biomedical models that dichotomize recovery based on symptom thresholds. This approach may not sufficiently capture the complex lived experiences of Veterans and their families. To explore conceptualizations of recovery, we sought perspectives from Veterans and their partners in a pilot study to understand: 1) how Veterans nearing completion of treatment for military-related PTSD and their partners view recovery; and 2) the experience of progressing through treatment towards recovery.MethodsWe employed a concurrent mixed methods design. Nine Veterans nearing the end of their treatment at a specialized outpatient mental health clinic completed quantitative self-report tools assessing PTSD and depressive symptom severity, and an individual, semi-structured interview assessing views on their treatment and recovery processes. Veterans’ partners participated in a separate interview to capture views of their partners’ treatment and recovery processes. Descriptive analyses of self-report symptom severity data were interpreted alongside emergent themes arising from inductive content analysis of qualitative interviews.ResultsWhile over half of Veterans were considered “recovered” based on quantitative assessments of symptoms, individual reflections of “recovery” were not always aligned with these quantitative assessments. A persistent narrative highlighted by participants was that recovery from military-related PTSD was not viewed as a binary outcome (i.e., recovered vs. not recovered); rather, recovery was seen as a dynamic, non-linear process. Key components of the recovery process identified by participants included a positive therapeutic relationship, social support networks, and a toolkit of adaptive strategies to address PTSD symptoms.ConclusionsFor participants in our study, recovery was seen as the ability to navigate ongoing issues of symptom management, re-engagement with meaningful roles and social networks, and a readiness for discontinuing intensive, specialized mental health treatment. The findings of this study highlight important considerations in balancing the practical utility of symptom severity assessments with a better understanding of the treatment discontinuation-related needs of Veterans with military-related PTSD and their families, which align with a contemporary biopsychosocial approach to recovery.

Models of mental health recovery: An overview of systematic reviews and qualitative meta-syntheses.

This study systematically reviews the systematic review (SR) evidence on mental health recovery from the perspective of adults with mental illness. Web of Science, ProQuest Dissertations & Theses, CINAHL, PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, and the libraries of the Cochrane Collaboration, Campbell Collaboration, and Joanna Briggs Institute were searched to identify eligible SRs including qualitative primary research. Two reviewers independently conducted data extraction and quality assessment. Overlap of primary studies was calculated. A framework for recovery was generated using reflexive thematic analysis. An ecological model of recovery that included elements of psychological well-being was generated from 25 studies bridging personal/clinical, individual/social, and process/outcome conceptualizations of recovery. The first theme was a definition of recovery as a transformation from a negative identity state marked by despair, brokenness, and helplessness to a positive state of psychological well-being. This transformation was contingent upon four additional themes that included: (a) social and environmental conditions supporting access to basic resources and safety; (b) development of a sense of autonomy and personal responsibility; (c) roles and relationships that facilitated the personal experience of belonging and meaning; and (d) enlightenment defined as acceptance of the illness as a part of oneself and insight into how to promote well-being. Professionals working in recovery-oriented systems must consider how the subjective self-representations of persons with mental illness and objective social relationships interact to impact recovery. We close by discussing interventions that may promote the personal and social conditions of recovery. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Defining Recovery in Chronic Whiplash: A Qualitative Study.

The meaning of recovery from musculoskeletal injury is complex, and understanding recovery from whiplash may be particularly important, given the chronic, often recalcitrant nature of the condition. Gaining a better understanding of recovery may also aid in the development and interpretation of future clinical trials. The aim of this study was to define the meaning of recovery from whiplash, and the factors influencing recovery, by exploring the perceptions of people with chronic whiplash, and their treating physiotherapists. This qualitative study was embedded within a larger randomized-controlled trial, and consisted of semistructured interviews. Interviews were conducted with 13 patient participants with chronic whiplash and 7 physiotherapists. Patient participants were asked what recovery meant to them, and perceptions around barriers and facilitators to recovery were explored. Physiotherapists were also asked to share their beliefs on the meaning of recovery, and what they believe recovery means to their patients. Both patient participants and physiotherapists perceived recovery to be defined within the themes of pain, function, and emotional well-being. Patient participants also identified self-perception as important, whereas physiotherapists identified ownership on the part of the patient, and the multidimensional nature of recovery, including cultural values and beliefs, as important. Several themes relating to barriers and facilitators to recovery were also identified, and included personal and social characteristics and aspects of the therapeutic relationship. Recovery is a multidimensional and complex construct. In addition to pain intensity and disability, measurement and conceptualization of recovery should focus on emotional well-being, self-perception, and the cultural values and beliefs of the individual. A positive therapeutic relationship, with attention to psychological and social influences, appears to be important in facilitating recovery and well-being.

Recovery as a process: Exploring definitions of recovery in the context of eating-disorder-related social media forums.

Online forums related to eating disorders (EDs) represent sources of support for recovery, and comments on these platforms might therefore highlight aspects of recovery that have been previously neglected in research. Reddit, an online discussion platform, hosts several ED-related forums. Due to the unique benefits of examining ED-related social media comments, we aimed to use a qualitative approach to conduct an exploratory study to examine users' conceptualizations of recovery from an ED. We extracted public comments mentioning recovery that were posted on three ED-related online forums on Reddit between March 2017 and August 2017. We thematically analyzed the data corpus using an inductive approach to examine how recovery is defined in the context of ED-related online communities. Two superordinate themes ("Recovery as a Process," "Psychosocial Factors") and three subordinate themes emerged (within the "Psychosocial Factors" theme: cognitive/affective, behavioral/physical, social). The data support a definition of recovery that includes positive aspects of well-being and quality of life. Furthermore, the data highlight that recovery is experienced as an ongoing process that is unique to each individual.

#recovery: Understanding recovery from the lens of recovery‐focused blogs posted by individuals with lived experience

Definitions of eating disorder (ED) recovery have primarily focused on symptom management (i.e., weight regain, reduced/absent ED behaviors, and normalized ED thoughts). Notwithstanding the importance of these approaches, there are arguably additional considerations in ED recovery. In order to get a more comprehensive understanding of recovery, it is necessary to turn to individuals with lived experience. Here, we examine how individuals with lived experience of an ED conceptualize and define recovery in narrative, recovery-focused blogs and consider how this understanding may contribute to definitions of recovery in the field. Inductive thematic analysis was used to examine 168 blogs posted by at least 120 unique authors (95% women; 36% reporting anorexia nervosa diagnosis) to 10 moderated, ED websites. Results from the thematic analysis yielded seven themes: recovery as (1) existing in contrast to the ED, (2) existing in a broader context, (3) subjective, (4) a choice, (5) a complex, nonlinear process, (6) transformative, and (7) overcoming. The present findings are consistent with previous qualitative research, suggesting that recovery is multifaceted and encompasses more than just symptom management. Notably, bloggers highlighted that recovery may not be equally attainable for all individuals, citing numerous social justice issues in the conceptualization of recovery. This multifaceted and intersectional view of recovery is consistent with consumer models of recovery. We argue that a dimensional model of recovery may be a good starting framework for researchers and clinicians to develop a more comprehensive definition of recovery.

Long-Term Sustained Recovery from Alcohol Use Disorders Among Veterans: A Grounded Theory Investigation

This grounded theory study explored veterans’ conceptualization of recovery and factors contributing to establishing and maintaining long-term recovery among veterans. Alcohol misuse is a significant health challenge resulting in negative consequences across multiple dimensions. Alcohol Use Disorders (AUDs) are a significant problem in the general population, but they are even more prevalent among active duty military service men and women as well as veterans. Participants were nine veterans averaging 27.9 years in recovery. Six major themes emerged from veteran interviews including: (1) early negative life experiences, (2) early exposure and access to alcohol, (3) alcohol filled a need, (4) enabling of drinking behaviors in the military, (5) early recovery experiences, and (6) later recovery experiences. Veterans defined recovery as total abstinence and enhancement of quality of life. Implications for future research, exploration of deficits in recovery models, veteran-specific clinical practice, and the effect of trauma on the initiation of AUD in veterans and long-term recovery is discussed.

Rehabilitation and recovery for ethnic minority patients with severe mental illness

SUMMARYThere is growing evidence to support recovery and rehabilitation services and interventions for people with severe mental illness (SMI). However, those from ethnic minority communities face inequitable outcomes and access to mental health services and poorer functional outcomes. This article reviews the evidence and discusses facilitators and barriers in the recovery journey of people with SMI from ethnic minority groups. Although there is limited evidence for specific interventions for ethnic minority patients, areas for future study and action are discussed.LEARNING OBJECTIVESAfter reading this article you will be able to:•understand the scope of rehabilitation practices and interventions and evidence for use with ethnic minority patients with severe mental illness•describe differences and similarities in the conceptualisation of recovery by majority and minority ethnic communities•appreciate facilitators and barriers to rehabilitation and recovery for ethnic minority patients with SMI.DECLARATION OF INTERESTNone.

Recovery from Psychosis in a Forensic Service: Assessing Staff and Service Users’ Perspectives Using Q Methodology

ABSTRACTRecovery has become a guiding principle for mental health service delivery. However, the implementation of recovery-oriented services is hindered by conceptual multiplicity, and forensic services in particular face additional challenges. The perspectives of both those receiving and providing services are central in understanding how the recovery approach can best be supported in practice. Therefore, this study used Q methodology to explore staff and service-users’ views regarding factors deemed important to recovery from psychosis in a forensic service. Ten service-users and 13 mental health professionals completed a 60-item Q-sort to obtain their idiosyncratic views about recovery in this context. Q analysis produced a four-factor solution (accounting for 60% of the variance), revealing four distinct perspectives. The first placed emphasis on “personal growth and psychosocial aspects of recovery,” the second on “gaining insight and reducing recidivism,” the third placed importance on “self-focused aspects of recovery,” and the final factor highlighted “making amends & service engagement” as important to recovery. The heterogeneity of recovery beliefs indicated that multiple dimensions of recovery are important in clinical practice. The bio-medical model of care appeared most prominent, suggesting the need for greater choice in alternative treatments and improved access to alternative models of care. To better apply recovery values, service-users and mental health professionals require a better understanding of the various recovery dimensions, and this broad conceptualisation of recovery should be reflected in service provision.

Games Abstainers Play

The authors review transactional analysis (TA) approaches to treating addicted clients and describe the stages of the psychotherapeutic process in such work. They use clinical examples to illustrate a new TA conceptualization of recovery from alcohol addiction and problems that recovering clients may face. Such problems often relate to clients’ engagement in so-called “dry” games, which sometimes involve their therapists and relatives. The authors discuss the implications of these games for therapy aiming at clients’ complete recovery. The article singles out two types of recovery: Type 1, which corresponds to transference cure and is incomplete, and Type 2, which corresponds to script redecision and represents an ultimate treatment goal in the therapy of addictions.

Measuring treatment outcomes in gambling disorders: a systematic review.

Background and AimsConsiderable variation of outcome variables used to measure recovery in the gambling treatment literature has precluded effective cross‐study evaluations and hindered the development of best‐practice treatment methodologies. The aim of this systematic review was to describe current diffuse concepts of recovery in the gambling field by mapping the range of outcomes and measurement strategies used to evaluate treatments, and to identify more commonly accepted indices of recovery.MethodsA systematic search of six academic databases for studies evaluating treatments (psychological and pharmacological) for gambling disorders with a minimum 6‐month follow‐up. Data from eligible studies were tabulated and analysis conducted using a narrative approach. Guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) were adhered to.ResultsThirty‐four studies were reviewed systematically (RCTs = 17, comparative designs = 17). Sixty‐three different outcome measures were identified: 25 (39.7%) assessed gambling‐specific constructs, 36 (57.1%) assessed non‐gambling specific constructs, and two instruments were used across both categories (3.2%). Self‐report instruments ranged from psychometrically validated to ad‐hoc author‐designed questionnaires. Units of measurement were inconsistent, particularly in the assessment of gambling behaviour. All studies assessed indices of gambling behaviour and/or symptoms of gambling disorder. Almost all studies (n = 30; 88.2%) included secondary measures relating to psychiatric comorbidities, psychological processes linked to treatment approach, or global functioning and wellbeing.ConclusionsIn research on gambling disorders, the incorporation of broader outcome domains that extend beyond disorder‐specific symptoms and behaviours suggests a multi‐dimensional conceptualization of recovery. Development of a single comprehensive scale to measure all aspects of gambling recovery could help to facilitate uniform reporting practices across the field.

How do health professionals work in a recovery-oriented way?

Introduction: In the Metro South geographical area in South East Queensland, the Logan Beaudesert Wellbeing Program was developed and implemented in order to offer revolutionary, community-based, person-centred care. Staff entered the program feeling passionate about recovery; hoping to achieve better outcomes for people with severe mental illness who were at high risk of hospital admission or readmission through the use of intensive recovery-oriented practice. This qualitative study aimed to elucidate how health professionals practice in a recovery-oriented way, and reports on: health professionals’ conceptualisations of recovery; how health professionals turn the concept of recovery into recovery-oriented practice; and how health professionals go about supporting recovery in practice. Theory / Methods: Staff were invited to participate in individual, face-to-face, semi-structured interviews prior to on-boarding consumers (n=24), and again six months after the program commencement date (n=21). A total of 16 participants partook in both pre and post implementation interviews. Research questions were based on Normalization Process Theory. Interviews were digitally recorded and transcribed verbatim. Two researchers then thematically analysed the data using techniques of initial coding. Data were then collectively aggregated into higher order themes, continuing until all data were accounted for and a succinct representation of themes was accomplished. Results: The concept of recovery is subjectively interpreted. Furthermore, understandings continue to shift as health professionals grow accustomed to the addition of peer support workers in multidisciplinary teams. Whilst some health professionals are interpreting recovery-orientation from a medically oriented paradigm, others view recovery-orientation as a way of life rather than a prescriptive approach that can be learned through traditional methods. Discussion: There was cause for concern that health professionals’ subjective conceptualisations of recovery, and past design of treatment according to medical definitions of mental illness, influenced therapeutic relationships. However, participants were keen to break these trends and felt strongly that person-centred practice should underpin all aspects of the treatment program, including service design. Conclusion: Health professionals are aware that recovery-oriented practice is yet to become the predominant way of working in mental health. Thus, in addition to generating best outcomes for people with severe mental illness, health professionals see their roles as important for developing and spreading the ethos of person-centred care amongst the health care community. Lessons learned: The paradigm shift away from medically-oriented mental health practice toward recovery-oriented practice presents significant rewards and challenges for health professionals. Supporting recovery in a legislated context requires special levels of navigation and negotiation. Critically reflective practice is imperative for the ongoing development of health professionals’ conceptualisations of person-centred care. Limitations: Because this research occurred in the specific context of a pilot program in South East Queensland, generalizability beyond this context cannot be assured. Conceptualisations of person-centred and recovery-oriented practice may differ in other locations. Future Research: Longitudinal studies would be of benefit to continue to gauge how health professionals’ conceptualisations of recovery change over time; with a particular view to investigating whether over time, health professionals revert to more traditional, less person-centred ways of working in mental health practice.

The concept of recovery and its practical application

Recovery is a contested concept and definitions of it are scattered across various contexts and disciplines, contributing to the confusion that surrounds it. This article explores various conceptualisations of recovery and proposes a pragmatic way of viewing it as distributed across a continuum of clinical, social and personal domains. It also suggests the need to conceptualise recovery from the perspectives of different cultures.

How is evaluated mental health recovery?

IntroductionThere is an increasingly recognition of the concept of recovery in the treatment of mental illness. Recovery defined as living a fulfilling, rewarding life, even in the ongoing presence of a mental illness. Consequently, a number of instruments have been designed to assess recovery-oriented outcomes.ObjectiveThe objective of the study was to conduct a systematic revision of the instruments used to assess recovery with appropriate psychometric properties.MethodA systematic review of the literature has been realized. The adequacy of the instruments utilization, the content validity and psychometrics properties were gathered and analyzed.Results/discussionAfter a systematic review, it has been obtained 25 different instruments for measuring personal recovery and 17 for assessing the orientation of recovery in mental health services. As a consequence of the lack of consensus that exists in the conceptualization of recovery; several instruments have been developed and used to assess the different recovery domains. But it is essential to select scales that match with the recovery model and assess adequately the individual's recovery, and also, the recovery orientation of services. Moreover, those instruments should have appropriate psychometric properties and should be suitable to be introduced in routinely clinical settings.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.