“It's the Day‐to‐Day Living That Matters”: The Meaning and Process of Community in the Lives of a Couple with Significant Psychiatric Disabilities

Abstract

This study attempts to define and describe the experience and process of community and community participation using a qualitative case study of a couple labeled with significant psychiatric disabilities. Findings indicate that important influences on perceptions and the process of community belonging include (a) the opportunity to personally define the meaning, limitations, and level of care associated with receiving a psychiatric label; (b) a reciprocal, central relationship; and (c) recognized opportunities for intentional participation in and access to meaningful relationships with other community members, including in the role of coworker or colleague.

A Little Goes a Long Way: The Impact of Distal Social Support on Community Integration and Recovery of Individuals with Psychiatric Disabilities

“…However, definitions of social support may be too narrowfocusing on intimate relationships such as friend and family networks and ignoring the potential role of more casual relationships existing naturally in the community (i.e., distal supports). While qualitative studies have provided some context for understanding the importance of distal social supports for individuals with psychiatric disabilities (e.g., Beal et al 2005;Corin and Lauzon 1992;Royce-Davis 2001), less is known about the specific types of support provided by distal supports. For instance, the social support literature generally agrees upon three classic types of support: (1) tangible support (the provision of financial assistance, material goods, or services); (2) emotional support (the offering of empathy, concern, affection, love, and trust); and (3) informational support (the provision of advice, guidance, or useful information) (Langford et al 1997;Uchino 2004;Willis 1998).…”

Community reintegration for people with psychiatric disabilities: challenging systemic barriers to service provision and public policy through participatory action research

“…Existing research indicates that consumers with psychiatric disabilities need to be actively involved in the planning and provision of these services. For example, Royce-Davis (2001) found that one of the most important influences on community participation for people with psychiatric disabilities was the opportunity to personally define the meaning, limitations and level of care associated with being labeled as a person with a psychiatric disability. While the above research has collectively provided important insights into the community living needs of people with psychiatric disabilities, it has not actively involved people with psychiatric disabilities in the planning and design of the research process.…”

Experiencing Community: Perspectives of Individuals Diagnosed as Having Serious Mental Illness

“…Community—which usually connotes a locale for involvement as well as a nexus for social life (4,10,16–18)—tends to be described as an avenue that moves people away from illness. According to Bond and colleagues (1), “Community integration entails helping consumers to move out of patient roles, treatment centers, segregated housing arrangements, and work enclaves and enabling them to move toward .…”

“…However, studies that explore the experience of community living among persons with mental illness suggest that communal life can be fraught with challenges (10,22–27). Persons diagnosed as having psychotic disorders often report decreased interest, motivation, or tolerance related to interpersonal interactions and social activities (28–31).…”