Worlds apart? A scoping review addressing different stakeholder perspectives on barriers to family involvement in the care for persons with severe mental illness

ObjectiveTo examine the literature on how recovery of people with severe mental illness (SMI) is conceptualised in low/middle-income countries (LMICs), and in particular what factors are thought to facilitate recovery.DesignScoping review.Data sources and eligibilityWe searched 14 electronic databases, hand searched citations and consulted with experts during the period May–December 2019. Eligible studies were independently screened for inclusion and exclusion by two reviewers. Unresolved discrepancies were referred to a third reviewer.Data extraction and synthesisAll bibliographical data and study characteristics were extracted using a data charting form. Selected studies were analysed through a thematic analysis emerging from extracted data.ResultsThe Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses flow diagram offers a summary of the results: 4201 titles, 1530 abstracts and 109 full-text articles were screened. Ten articles were selected for inclusion: two from Turkey, two from India, and one each from China, Swaziland, Indonesia, Egypt, South Africa and Vietnam. Although most studies used qualitative methods, data collection and sampling methods were heterogeneous. One study reported on service provider perspectives while the rest provided perspectives from a combination of service users and caregivers. Three themes emerged from the data analysis. First, studies frame recovery as a personal journey occurring along a continuum. Second, there was an emphasis on social relationships as a facilitator of recovery. Third, spirituality emerged as both a facilitator and an indicator of recovery. These themes were not mutually exclusive and some overlap exists.ConclusionAlthough there were commonalities with how high-income countries describe recovery, we also found differences in conceptualisation. These differences in how recovery was understood reflect the importance of framing the personal recovery concept in relation to local needs and contextual issues found in LMICs. This review highlighted the current sparse evidence base and the need to better understand recovery from SMI in LMICs.

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Outcome assessments used in studies examining the effect of prescribed exercise interventions for people living with severe mental illness, a scoping review

Mental Health and Physical Activity ◽

10.1016/j.mhpa.2021.100438 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 100438

Author(s):

Caleb McMahen ◽

Kemi Wright ◽

Robert Stanton ◽

Oscar Lederman ◽

Simon Rosenbaum ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Illness ◽

Severe Mental Illness ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Exercise Interventions ◽

Outcome Assessments

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Rates, types and associations of sexual risk behaviours and sexually transmitted infections in those with severe mental illness: a scoping review

Psychiatry Research ◽

10.1016/j.psychres.2020.112946 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 290 ◽

pp. 112946

Author(s):

Meg Stevens ◽

Aswin Ratheesh ◽

Amity Watson ◽

Kate Filia ◽

Brian O Donoghue ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Illness ◽

Severe Mental Illness ◽

Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽

Sexual Risk ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Risk Behaviours ◽

Sexually Transmitted ◽

Sexual Risk Behaviours

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Homelessness and severe mental illness in low- and middle-income countries: scoping review

BJPsych Open ◽

10.1192/bjo.2019.32 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 5 (4) ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Caroline Smartt ◽

Martin Prince ◽

Souci Frissa ◽

Julian Eaton ◽

Abebaw Fekadu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Illness ◽

Severe Mental Illness ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Homeless People ◽

Middle Income ◽

Middle Income Countries ◽

Manual Search ◽

Cultural Responses ◽

Key Aspects ◽

Low And Middle Income

Background Despite being a global problem, little is known about the relationship between severe mental illness (SMI) and homelessness in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Homeless people with SMI are an especially vulnerable population and face myriad health and social problems. In LMICs, low rates of treatment for mental illness, as well as differing family support systems and cultural responses to mental illness, may affect the causes and consequences of homelessness in people with SMI. Aims To conduct a systematic, scoping review addressing the question: what is known about the co-occurrence of homelessness and SMI among adults living in LMICs? Method We conducted an electronic search, a manual search and we consulted with experts. Two reviewers screened titles and abstracts, assessed publications for eligibility and appraised study quality. Results Of the 49 included publications, quality was generally low: they were characterised by poor or unclear methodology and reporting of results. A total of 7 publications presented the prevalence of SMI among homeless people; 12 presented the prevalence of homelessness among those with SMI. Only five publications described interventions for this population; only one included an evaluation component. Conclusions Evidence shows an association between homelessness and SMI in LMICs, however there is little information on the complex relationship and direction of causality between the phenomena. Existing programmes should undergo rigorous evaluation to identify key aspects required for individuals to achieve sustainable recovery. Respect for human rights should be paramount when conducting research with this population. Declaration of interest None.

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