Case Managers’ Experiences of Personal Growth: Learning from Consumers

Abstract

This study examines aspects of case managers' perceived personal growth in their work with consumers. Using a sample of 98 case managers, the psychometric properties of a brief self-report measure of personal growth of case managers were examined. The Case Manager Personal Growth Scale (CMPG) showed good reliability and construct validity as evidenced by negative correlations with scores on professional burnout and positive correlations with personal accomplishment and job satisfaction scores. CMPG scores were unrelated to social desirability scores or caseload size and positively related to age and tenure in the mental health system. Results suggest the strong relevance of the construct of personal growth for case managers.

Mental Health Care Providers’ Views of Their Work with Consumers and Their Reports of Recovery-Orientation, Job Satisfaction, and Personal Growth

“…The measure uses a five-point Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree) and an overall mean score was used in the present study. The measure has been shown to have acceptable psychometric properties (Stein and Craft 2007). In the present study, the internal consistency coefficient of the CMPG scale was .91.…”

“…For example, Linley and Joseph (2007) found that clinicians' sense of well-being was related to their reports of a strong working alliance with their clients. Stein and Craft (2007) found that case managers reported that they had made positive changes in their personal lives as a result of working with consumers with serious mental illness. In the present study, participants' reports of stronger working alliance and greater directiveness with consumers were significantly related to their reports of higher levels of personal growth.…”

“…The CMPG (Stein and Craft 2007) is a 16-item self-report measure that assesses case mangers' sense of personal growth as a result of their work with consumers. Developed from the stress-related growth literature, CMPG items reflect aspects of personal, relationship, and spiritual growth as a result of working with consumers (Stein and Craft 2007).…”

“…Developed from the stress-related growth literature, CMPG items reflect aspects of personal, relationship, and spiritual growth as a result of working with consumers (Stein and Craft 2007). The measure uses a five-point Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree) and an overall mean score was used in the present study.…”

“…Wilson and Crowe (2008) found that psychiatric nurses in their qualitative study described higher levels of job satisfaction when they felt they had strong working alliances with consumers. Stein and Craft (2007) found that mental health care providers generally reported a sense of personal growth as a result of their work with adults with serious mental illness. In a qualitative study of community psychiatrists, Carpenter-Song and Torrey (2015) found that cultivating strong relationships with consumers was identified by these clinicians as one essential element of their work.…”