Consumer-Run Service Participation, Recovery of Social Functioning, and the Mediating Role of Psychological Factors

Abstract

The findings support the view that psychosocial factors may play a role in facilitating good community adjustment for individuals diagnosed as having serious mental illness.

Determinants of functioning and well-being among individuals with schizophrenia: An integrated model

“…Other personal system variables, such as a more problem-focused coping style and more general self-efficacy, have also been found to predict better social functioning and life satisfaction in cross-sectional studies (Bechdolf et al, 2003;Eklund et al, 2003;Ritsner, BenAvi et al, 2003;Ritsner et al, 2000;Yanos, Primavera, & Knight, 2001). Two prospective studies support these findings.…”

“…Evidence from cross-sectional research supports the view that the use of active, problemoriented coping strategies is related to better social functioning (Andres, Pfammatter, Fries, & Brenner, 2003;Lee, Lieh-Mak, Yu, & Spinks, 1993;Yanos et al, 2003;Yanos, Primavera et al, 2001). A longitudinal study (Boschi et al, 2000) found that individuals who reported that problem-centered coping strategies were most helpful to them at baseline had moderately better social functioning at 24 month follow-up than individuals who reported another type of strategy as most helpful.…”

“…While there has been no investigation to our knowledge of the influence of coping style on the direct use of coping responses among individuals with schizophrenia, investigations in the general population suggest that coping style and coping responses are minimally related to each other (Carver, Schreier, & Weintraub, 1989). Crosssectional studies among people with schizophrenia and related mental disorders have also found little or no relationship between general self-efficacy and the use of coping strategies (Yanos, Knight, & Bremer, 2003;Yanos, Primavera et al, 2001). …”

Effects of participation in consumer-operated service programs on both personal and organizationally mediated empowerment: Results of multisite study

“…Overall, these studies suggested that self-help and peer support programs can promote empowerment and recovery [14][15]. Combined with a similar review by Solomon [5], preliminary evidence suggests that these programs decrease the need for acute mental health services and mental health hospitalizations [14,[16][17]; increase social support, functioning, and activities [16,[18][19]; decrease substance abuse [14,16]; and may benefit perceived quality of life [20][21].…”

Evidence Based Psychosocial Practices and Recovery from Schizophrenia

“…Second, the potential benefits of consumer involvement in the planning and provision of services also merit further study. Mutual-support groups can facilitate the process of recovery by helping individuals view themselves and their problems as less deviant and alter understanding of self (DenBoer, Wiersma, & Van Den Bosch, 2004;Rummel, Hansen, & Helbig, 2005;Yanos, Primavera, & Knight, 2001;Young, Green, & Estroff, 2008). Public policies can also impact motivation and willingness to participate in recovery-oriented programs, such as supported employment services.…”