Small Things, Micro-Affirmations and Helpful Professionals Everyday Recovery-Orientated Practices According to Persons with Mental Health Problems

Abstract

The aim of this study is to present concrete descriptions of the content in the construction of helpful relationships with staff, according to users. Starting with the re-occurring concept of the meaning of “little things” in recovery studies, a literature review was done. A thematic analysis shows that small things play an important role in improving a person’s sense of self. Small things seem to be an invisible but effective parts of a recovery-orientated practice, but they might be defined as unprofessional and their efficacy negated.

Patients' experiences of taking part in Time Together – A nursing intervention in psychiatric inpatient care

“…The power in such encounters occurs through reciprocity and micro‐affirmations, where staff are present and act in a way that makes patients feel seen, heard, and respected (Topor et al . , ). Barker and Buchanan‐Barker () make similar claims, using bridging as a metaphor to describe how staff can use themselves to reach out to patients.…”

Women who suffer from schizophrenia: Critical issues

“…Women with this illness are widely considered incapable of being good mothers, making prenatal care more problematic, as women fear disclosing that they are pregnant, afraid that their infants will be apprehended at birth[ 141 , 142 ]. Healthcare professionals may not be aware of their own discriminatory attitudes, often communicated inadvertently by words and gestures[ 143 ]. Finding effective ways of combating biased attitudes both in oneself and in others is a critical issue for all care providers treating patients with stigmatized illnesses.…”

From the (Dis)comfort of One’s Own Home: Patients’ Experiences of Hospitalization After Discharge. A Qualitative Study of Lived Experience of Hospitalization from the Perspective of People with a Mental Health Disorder

“…Similarly, Davidson and Johnson (41) emphasise how micro-affirmations are core to building a sense of agency for people with severe mental illnesses. Micro-affirmations are small things having a positive role for a person's recovery process (42). Furthermore, Topor et al (42) argue that knowledge about micro-affirmations could be used to create positive organisational conditions and improve care quality.…”