Embracing the Social Nature of Recovery: A Qualitative Study on the Resource Group Method for People With Severe Mental Illness

Abstract

Objective: The resource group method for people with severe mental illness might provide a useful framework to facilitate patient's empowerment and systematically engage significant others. However, no research has explored the perspectives and experiences of patients and their significant others. This is crucial for better adjustment to the needs of the people using the method. The aim of this study was to develop a useful framework for a deeper understanding of the resource group method and its outcomes.Method: The study used a longitudinal, qualitative multiple case-study design based on grounded theory methodology. During a period of 2 years, the developments and processes in eight resource groups were explored by conducting a total of 74 interviews (e.g., with patients, significant others, and mental health professionals) and 26 observations of resource group meetings.Results: Analysis showed that a well-functioning resource group set the stage for five processes to unfold: (i) experience of support; (ii) acknowledgment of significant others; (iii) activation; (iv) openness; and (v) integration. These processes facilitated recovery both in terms of an arousing curiosity within the patient as well as increasing reciprocity and equality in their social relations. In addition, the method emphasized the uniqueness of each recovery journey, thereby providing a framework to shape recovery-oriented care. The analysis also revealed three hindering factors: (i) embedding and implementation issues; (ii) predominant network; and (iii) tensions inherent in the resource group setting.Conclusion: Working according to the resource group method involves that the person's recovery work becomes a social process that takes place in relation to the social environment and everyday life in which it is important to acknowledge and integrate the needs of significant others in treatment and care. This study provides a first step toward a multidimensional comprehension of the resource group method, the working mechanisms and its influence on recovery for people with severe mental illness.

Interpersonal Relations Within the Context of Resource Groups for People With Severe Mental Illness: A Narrative Approach

“…For the larger study (31), the first and second author had coded all transcripts and field notes together in an ongoing dialogue and had written memos of their discussions, so both were familiar with the data. For the present study, the first author reread the transcripts, field notes, and memos of the coding associated with a particular case several times, searching for excerpts that raised curiosity or questions related to the aim of the study.…”

“…Cultivating such attitude and taking on a monitoring role within the RG involves a subtle but significant shift in the dynamics between mental health professionals and patients and their significant others and is reshaped to "doing with, rather than doing to and doing for" (66). Developing appropriate skills is not restricted to a certain professional background but training and supervision is recommended [see (8,14,31)].…”

“…This paper is based on a narrative phenomenologicalhermeneutic analysis [(30), p. 295] of transcripts and field notes that were derived as part of a larger qualitative study exploring multiple perspectives on the RG method for people with SMI. The methodology of the larger study, including the recruitment of the cases, is described in depth elsewhere (31). In short, the study used a longitudinal multiple case-study design based on grounded theory (32,33) to explore the developments and processes in eight RGs.…”

Service User Experiences of How Flexible Assertive Community Treatment May Support or Inhibit Citizenship: A Qualitative Study

“…The Resource Group (RG) method has been suggested as a means of improving the FACT model in order to enhance social inclusion and the involvement of patients' networks (van Veldhuizen et al, 2015 ). In a grounded theory study of service users in FACT with severe mental illness, emphasizing the inclusion of the RG method in FACT, the authors conclude that the combination of RG and FACT enhances recovery as a social process that involves everyday life and significant others (Tjaden et al, 2020 ). In a Dutch grounded theory study of 15 service users of FACT who had mild intellectual disability or borderline intellectual functioning, participants stated that being in contact with FACT had improved their daily life situation, and they valued both the relationship with staff and the practical and emotional support given by the team (Neijmeijer et al, 2020 ).…”

Dutch Mental Health Patients’ and Significant Others’ Perspectives on Compulsory Treatment at Home: One Size Does Not Fit All

“…Significant others’ involvement can play an important role in the recovery of people with severe mental disorders ( 9 ). Also the involvement of significant others can improve significant others’ quality of life ( 10 – 12 ).…”