Religion, spirituality and personal recovery among forensic patients

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 190-200
Author(s):  
Emily Glorney ◽  
Sophie Raymont ◽  
Amy Lawson ◽  
Jessica Allen
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Recovery Process ◽  
Personal Meaning ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Religion And Spirituality ◽  
Personal Recovery ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Hospital Data ◽  
Content Type

Purpose Religion and spirituality are well-researched concepts within the field of psychology and mental health yet they have rarely been researched in high-secure services within the UK. Research in mental health and prison contexts suggests benefits of religion/spirituality to coping, social support, self-worth, symptoms of depression and anxiety and behavioural infractions. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of religion/spirituality in high-secure service users’ personal recovery. Design/methodology/approach Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 13 male patients in a high-secure hospital, with primary diagnoses of mental illness (n=11) or personality disorder (n=2). Participants were from a range of religious/spiritual backgrounds and were asked about how their beliefs impact their recovery and care pathways within the hospital. Data were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Findings Three superordinate themes were identified: “religion and spirituality as providing a framework for recovery”; “religion and spirituality as offering key ingredients in the recovery process”; and “barriers to recovery through religion/spirituality”. The first two themes highlight some of the positive aspects that aid participants’ recovery. The third theme reported hindrances in participants’ religious/spiritual practices and beliefs. Each theme is discussed with reference to sub-themes and illustrative excerpts. Practical implications Religion/spirituality might support therapeutic engagement for some service users and staff could be more active in their enquiry of the value that patients place on the personal meaning of this for their life. Originality/value For the participants in this study, religion/spirituality supported the principles of recovery, in having an identity separate from illness or offender, promoting hope, agency and personal meaning.

Recovery colleges: long-term impact and mechanisms of change

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Holly Thompson ◽  
Laura Simonds ◽  
Sylvie Barr ◽  
Sara Meddings
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Lived Experience ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
College Attendance ◽  
Personal Recovery ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Educational Paradigm ◽  
Long Term Impact

Purpose Recovery Colleges are an innovative approach which adopt an educational paradigm and use clinician and lived experience to support students with their personal recovery. They demonstrate recovery-orientated practice and their transformative role has been evidenced within mental health services. The purpose of this study is to explore how past students understand the influence of the Recovery College on their on-going recovery journey. Design/methodology/approach An exploratory, qualitative design was used and semi-structured interviews took place with 15 participants. Data was analysed using the “framework method” and inductive processes. Findings All participants discussed gains made following Recovery College attendance that were sustained at one year follow-up. Three themes emerged from the data: Ethos of recovery and equality; Springboard to opportunities; and Intrapersonal changes. Originality/value This research explores students’ experiences a year after attendance. This contrasts to most research which is completed immediately post course. This study contributes to the emergent evidence base highlighting the longitudinal positive impact of Recovery Colleges. This study is of value to those interested in recovery-oriented models within mental health. Recovery Colleges are gaining traction nationally and internationally and this research highlights processes underlying this intervention which is of importance to those developing new Recovery Colleges.

Recovery-oriented support work: the perspective of people with lived experience

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 457-468
Author(s):  
Dagmar Narusson ◽  
Jean Pierre Wilken
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Lived Experience ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Recovery Process ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Personal Recovery ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Mental Health Difficulties ◽  
Support Work

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to focus on individuals who experience mental health difficulties with the services they receive from “support workers” as part of a personal recovery model, this study will obtain individuals reflections, experiences and opinions on how support helps them stay well and facilitates their personal recovery process. Recovery is seen through the lens of the CHIME framework (Connectedness–Hope–Identity–Meaning–Empowerment). Design/methodology/approach The sample size included 13 people who experience mental health difficulties and are receiving support from mental health care services. The structured interview was designed based on the INSPIRE measurement and the CHIME framework structure. The qualitative content analyses, discursive framing approach and CHIME as a framework made it possible to examine the key activities of recovery-oriented support work revealed in the data. Findings Participants valued the enhancement of hope provided by support workers and also expressed it was important as they were non-judgemental. Identity and meaning in recovery could be enhanced by sharing powerful stories about the individuals’ own life and health experiences, and those of support workers or others. Inclusive behaviour in public spaces and trying out new interest-based activities together were considered as empowering. Originality/value This research helps to understand the value of personal recovery support activities given the societal changes (tension between survival vs self-expression values) and highlights the need for value-based recovery-oriented education and practice.

Exploring Therapeutic Risk in the Recovery Process of Adolescents at Risk of Self-harm: A Thematic Analysis of Support Staff Perceptions.

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomos Redmond
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Emotional Regulation ◽  
Recovery Process ◽  
Individual Risk ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Risk Approach ◽  
Mental Health Support ◽  
Self Harm

Background and Objective: The high prevalence of adolescent self-harm within mental health services presents considerable management concerns, exacerbated by a lack of clear evidence regarding therapeutically effective approaches. This shortfall perpetuates traditional risk-adverse practice, despite likely inadequacies in mitigating self-harm through failing to address underlying psychological mechanisms. Therapeutic risk, defined as an approach whereby clinicians support individual risk-taking, may be an alternative that yields improved recovery outcomes. However, related research is adult-focussed and provides limited detail on its features, practical delivery and impact on recovery. Consequently, the current study explored the experiences of professionals delivering a therapeutic risk ethos, including their conceptualisation of it and its impact on young people. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven mental health support workers employed by a residential healthcare provider that promotes a therapeutic risk approach. The provider supported service users aged 15 - 20 experiencing complex psychopathology who, following inpatient discharge, presented high risk of self-harm and suicidality. Interview data was thematically analysed. Discussion and Conclusion: Staff participants provided their understanding of a therapeutic risk approach; suggesting risk is viewed as positive and beneficial to recovery, alongside the promotion of service user freedom and flexible therapeutic risk management. They perceived therapeutic risk incorporates both permission and support, which facilitates the exploration of underlying feelings and alternative actions. Additionally, therapeutic risk promotes positive recovery outcomes due to empowered service users having increased control over their lives. They argued this can reduce psychological distress, encouraging the development of emotional regulation and adaptive coping strategies.

Older adult recovery: “What are we working towards?”

2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samantha Rankin ◽  
Stephanie Petty
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Mental Health Setting ◽  
Personal Recovery ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Inpatient Mental Health

Purpose – The perspectives of frontline clinical staff working with individuals in later life within an inpatient mental health setting, of their role in recovery, have not yet been explored. The purpose of this paper is to understand what recovery means within an inpatient mental health setting for older adults. The authors address clear implications for clinical practice. Design/methodology/approach – Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 multidisciplinary participants across two specialist older adult recovery units at an independent hospital in the UK. Thematic analysis was applied to the transcripts. Findings – Three main themes were identified: participants identified their normative task as the promotion of “moving on” (clinical recovery) and their existential task as personal recovery. The context in which recovery happens was highlighted as the third theme. These represented competing workplace goals of clinical and personal recovery. This highlights the need to give permission to personal recovery as the process that enables mental health recovery in older adults. Originality/value – Staff working in a inpatient mental health service for older adults discussed the meaning of recovery and their role in enabling recovery. This has implications for sustainable clinical practice in this setting. Recovery-orientated practice in this setting is required but the detail is not yet understood.

scholarly journals Am I there yet? The views of people with learning disability on forensic community rehabilitation

2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 148-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alana Davis ◽  
Michael Doyle ◽  
Ethel Quayle ◽  
Suzanne O'Rourke
Keyword(s):  
Learning Disability ◽  
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Community Integration ◽  
Current Model ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Community Rehabilitation ◽  
Community Based Rehabilitation

Purpose – Previously, diversion from the criminal justice system for people with learning disability (LD) and serious forensic needs in Scotland meant hospitalisation. More recently new legislation has meant that community-based rehabilitation is possible for this group. The purpose of this paper is to qualitatively explore the views of people with LD subject to these legal orders. This is both a chance to work in partnership to improve services and also to make the voices of this potentially vulnerable group heard. Design/methodology/approach – Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten participants subject to a community-based order. All participants were male. Ages, index behaviour, and time spent on order varied. The data was transcribed and analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Findings – The main themes which emerged from the data were a taste of freedom, not being in control, getting control back, loneliness, and feeling like a service user. Participants described positives about community-based rehabilitation but also a number of negatives. Practical implications – Participant accounts suggest that the current community rehabilitation model has some shortcomings which need to be addressed. Suggestions are made for improvements to the current model relating to: achieving clarity over the role of support staff and pathways out of the system; increasing opportunities for service users to voice concerns; empowering staff teams via extensive training and supervision; and directly addressing internalised stigma to promote community integration. Originality/value – This is the first piece of work evaluating compulsory community forensic care for people with LD from the perspective of service users. It highlights difficulties with the system which could lead to helpful ways to evolve this model.

The perspectives of people who use mental health services engaging with arts and cultural activities

2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 180-186 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anita Jensen ◽  
Theodore Stickley ◽  
Alison Edgley
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Service ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Service ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Central Component ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Museum Educator

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a study of arts engagement for mental health service users in Denmark. Design/methodology/approach – The study was completed at Hans Knudsen Instituttet, Denmark. It involved analysis of emerging themes from semi-structured interviews with six participants who had participated in a structured visit to the National Gallery (Statens Museum for Kunst) in Denmark. Findings – Multiple benefits for people who use mental health services engaging in arts activities are reported. Arts activities are described as a central component of everyday life; a way of life and a significant factor in getting through the day. Barriers are identified in the interdisciplinary working between the museum educator and participants. Social implications – This study identifies that the participants benefited from taking part in the arts/cultural activity. Findings also suggest that if museums are offering activities to people who use mental health services they should equip staff with training designed to support appropriate ways of working with this group. This interdisciplinary activity offers a relatively untapped potential arena of support. Originality/value – The paper will be of relevance and value to those working with mental health and arts. The study demonstrates the importance for mental health service users to engage in creative activity and for museum staff to have appropriate skills for inclusion to be successful.

scholarly journals The PARALLEL Study (imPAct of expeRiencing Another’s seLf harm and suicidaL bEhaviour in hospitaL)

2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 258-268
Author(s):  
Rebecca Hargate ◽  
Sharon Howden ◽  
Emma Tarpey ◽  
Tammi Walker
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Suicidal Behaviour ◽  
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Health Unit ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The North ◽  
Self Harm ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Mental Health Unit

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the experiences of both staff and patients in a medium-secure mental health unit of the self-harm and/or suicidal behaviour of others. Suicide and self-harm is highly prevalent in forensic settings and evidence suggests that experiencing other people’s self-harm and suicidal behaviour can lead to negative outcomes, both for staff and patients. This is particularly important in hospitals where patients are highly dependent on staff for support. Design/methodology/approach Semi-structured interviews were conducted with five staff members and six patients in a medium-secure male mental health unit in the North of England. Data were analysed following interpretative phenomenological analysis guidelines. Findings Three dominant themes were identified during analysis: the impact of suicide and self-harm; the role of others; and the importance of understanding and experience. Various impacts were discussed including desensitization, negative emotions and the desire to help. Other people played an important role in protecting against negative impacts, with shared experiences and peer support reported as the biggest benefits. Experiences of self-harm and suicide were found to increase understanding resulting in more positive attitudes. Additionally, the importance of training and education was highlighted. Originality/value This paper provides an insight into the experiences of staff and patients in medium-secure male mental health unit, which has benefits to practitioners when considering support mechanisms.

scholarly journals What does well-being mean to mental health peer workers?

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenny Edge ◽  
Susan Wheatley
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Occupational Science ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Analysis Design ◽  
Science Framework

Purpose This paper aims to gain a detailed understanding of their experience of well-being from the perspective of mental health peer workers. Design/methodology/approach An interpretative phenomenological analysis design using semi-structured interviews was conducted with four peer workers. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and then analysed using thematic analysis. Findings Participants described their experience of well-being in terms of a journey over time that followed an unpredictable course. They understood their well-being in terms of their engagement in occupations. An occupational science framework was used to understand the participants’ experience of their well-being in terms of doing, being and becoming. Originality/value This paper is among the first to approach the exploration of the experience of well-being for peer workers using an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis design.

scholarly journals “Be here now” – service users’ experiences of a mindfulness group intervention

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 77-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aiveen Dillon ◽  
Charlotte Wilson ◽  
Catherine Jackman
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Intellectual Disabilities ◽  
Group Intervention ◽  
Group Process ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mental Health Difficulties ◽  
Mindfulness Interventions ◽  
Individuals With Intellectual Disabilities

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore service users’ experiences of a mindfulness group intervention. Design/methodology/approach In total, 15 participants with a diagnosis of a mild or moderate intellectual disability and concurrent mental health difficulties were interviewed using semi-structured interviews about their experiences of attending the mindfulness group. Findings Thematic analysis was used to interpret the data. The three super ordinate themes that emerged were positive aspects of mindfulness, positive aspects of attending the group and negative aspects of attending the group. There were seven subthemes. The results highlighted that participants found the mindfulness group to be beneficial, partly due to specific aspects of the mindfulness intervention and partly due to the group process. The negative aspects of the group were harder to elicit, and were less specifically related to mindfulness. Originality/value Mindfulness-based interventions have emerged as a promising approach for individuals with intellectual disabilities with mental health difficulties. There is currently a lack of research exploring service users with intellectual disabilities about their experiences of mindfulness interventions.

Exploring offender manager’s experiences of psychologically informed consultation on relationships with service users within the offender personality disorder pathway

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 317-328
Author(s):  
Kay Radcliffe ◽  
Bethany Carrington ◽  
Max Ward
Keyword(s):  
Personality Disorder ◽  
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Psychological Consultation ◽  
Probation Service ◽  
Harm To Others ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The Yorkshire and Humber Personality Disorder Partnership (YHPDP) provides psychological consultation and formulation to offender managers (OMs) within the National Probation Service as part of the offender personality disorder (OPD) pathway. The pathway highlights the importance of formulation-led case management to develop pathways for offenders with personality difficulties at high risk of causing serious harm to others. This study aims to ask what is the experience of psychological consultation/formulation on the relationship between a sample of service users (SUs) and their OMs. Design/methodology/approach Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with five OMs who had engaged in at least three consultations with YHPDP psychologists/psychotherapists within the OPD pathway. Qualitative methods were used to analyse the data, specifically interpretative phenomenological analysis, which is useful when dealing with complexity, process or novelty. Findings OMs experienced the consultation/formulation process to be containing and reflective. They found complex, emotionally demanding clients who have offended and have personality disorder traits could be responded to differently as a result of this process. From an OM perspective, this improved the relationship between themselves and their SUs and supported risk management. These conclusions must be tentative, as they are drawn from a small-scale qualitative study, but provides the basis for further research. Originality/value Although there is increasing research into the outcomes of the OPD pathway, little has been done regarding the experience of the relationship between OMs and SUs. This research takes a qualitative perspective to explore this area.

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