Long term outcome study of a salutogenic psychoeducational recovery oriented intervention (Inte.G.R.O.) in severe mental illness patients

Abstract

Aim Inte.G.R.O. is a standardized Salutogenic-Psychoeducational intervention designed to help people with severe mental illness manage their life-stress and achieve personal recovery goals through the improvement of social functioning. The aim of this study is to evaluate the long-term outcome of this approach, characterized by health promotion rather than correction of dysfunctional strategies. Methods 41 people underwent an observational study with a three time-point evaluation (t0, pre- treatment; t1, 12 months; t2, 36 months). At each time point, social functioning was assessed as primary outcome by the Personal and Social Functioning scale (PSP); furthermore, psychopathological status was assessed by Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), stress management was measured by means of Stress-Scale and cognitive flexibility variables were assessed by Modified Five-Point Test (M-FPT). Results Personal and Social Functioning increased at t1 and t2 vs t0; psychopathological status improved at t2 vs t0; stress management improved at t2 vs t1; cognitive flexibility improved at t2 vs t0. Conclusions these results substantially confirm after a three-year follow-up the improvements in functioning, psychopathology, stress management and cognitive flexibility seen in previous studies. Furthermore, they show a complex time-dependent fashion. Overall, they confirm a remarkable and long-term impact of Inte.G.R.O. on key Recovery variables. Further studies are needed to address extent and duration of these improvements.

An e-Health Psychoeducation Program for Managing the Mental Health of People with Bipolar Disorder during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Randomized Controlled Study

“…This intervention, conducted in a group setting, was delivered online using telemedicine/telerehabilitation technology tools (internet connection, Zoom app). The e-health psychoeducation intervention adopted the same logical framework in comparison to existing, effective traditional psychoeducational models [ 40 , 56 , 57 ]. The overall objective was to provide information about the clinical condition and symptoms, while identifying effective coping strategies to manage mental health and reduce the clinical impact of the pathology.…”

“…All sessions included an informative section (15 min); the identification of personal strategies (20 min); learning through commonly used techniques, such as shaping, scaffolding, or role-playing (45 min); and finally, a section with home assignments identified as recovery goals (10 min). In this context, a salutogenic, personal, recovery-oriented model was promoted [ 56 , 59 , 60 ], emphasizing strategies to manage the effects of the pandemic in daily life, and aligning with participants’ personal goals and the specific needs of the target population.…”

Aggression, Alexithymia and Sense of Coherence in a Sample of Schizophrenic Outpatients

“…A review examining the effects of psychological interventions on alexithymia concluded that it is partly modifiable with these therapeutic interventions, offering suggestions for future research [ 94 ]. Similarly, salutogenic-based approaches offer promising results, strengthening sense of coherence and effectuating positive outcomes in key variables for personal recovery in people with schizophrenia [ 95 , 96 ].…”