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Personal meaning of recovery among persons with schizophrenia

Author

Listed:
  • Shari Tess Mathew
  • Bergai Parthsarathy Nirmala
  • John Vijay Sagar Kommu

Abstract

Background: Recovery in mental illness is not synonymous with cure. Personal recovery approach consider recovery as a process and not as an outcome. This approach takes into account the subjective meaning of recovery by assessing how a person has learned to accommodate and live with an illness. Aim: To study the personal meaning of recovery among persons with schizophrenia. Method: This article presents the findings of a qualitative study about what ‘recovery’ means to persons with schizophrenia. A semi structured interview schedule was prepared based on literature review and expert opinion. Twenty participants who met the inclusion criteria and personally consider themselves recovering/recovered from schizophrenia were selected for the in-depth qualitative interviews. Data was analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Meaning of recovery from each participant’s perspective was recorded. Findings: The results indicate factors that patients deem important for their recovery are, absence of symptoms, regaining functioning, being able to work, having adequate emotional stability and not being on medicines. The findings are examined in the background of the previous studies and suggestions for clinical practice and research is also discussed. Conclusion: Recovery is far more than remission of symptoms. Persons with mental illness has their own criteria of recovery, which could be very distinct from the clinical definition. Current study findings can help in identifying meaning of recovery through the perspectives of persons with mental illness and in developing and implementing recovery-oriented services.

Suggested Citation

  • Shari Tess Mathew & Bergai Parthsarathy Nirmala & John Vijay Sagar Kommu, 2023. "Personal meaning of recovery among persons with schizophrenia," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 69(1), pages 78-85, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:socpsy:v:69:y:2023:i:1:p:78-85
    DOI: 10.1177/00207640211068370
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Subhashini Gopal & Greeshma Mohan & Sujit John & Vijaya Raghavan, 2020. "What constitutes recovery in schizophrenia? Client and caregiver perspectives from South India," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 66(2), pages 118-123, March.
    2. Roger M.K. Ng & Veronica Pearson & May Lam & C.W. Law & Cindy P.Y. Chiu & Eric Y.H. Chen, 2008. "What Does Recovery From Schizophrenia Mean? Perceptions of Long-Term Patients," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 54(2), pages 118-130, March.
    3. Sailaxmi Gandhi & Diksy Jose & Geetha Desai, 2020. "Perspectives of consumers in India on factors affecting recovery from schizophrenia," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 66(1), pages 93-101, February.
    4. May M.L. Lam & Veronica Pearson & Roger M.K. Ng & Cindy P.Y. Chiu & C.W. Law & Eric Y.H. Chen, 2011. "What does recovery from psychosis mean? Perceptions of young first-episode patients," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 57(6), pages 580-587, November.
    5. Yulia Kartalova-O’Doherty & Donna Tedstone Doherty, 2011. "Recovering from mental health problems: Perceived positive and negative effects of medication on reconnecting with life," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 57(6), pages 610-618, November.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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