An empirical conceptualization of the recovery orientation.
OBJECTIVE
The recovery movement is having a growing impact on policy for people with severe mental illness. The empirical literature on the recovery orientation, however, is scant, and no empirical conceptualization of recovery has been published.


METHODS
We identified items reflecting recovery themes and measuring aspects of subjective experience, and used principle components and confirmatory factor analyses to develop an empirical conceptualization of the recovery orientation, using data from a large, systematic study of schizophrenia.


RESULTS
We identified four domains of the recovery orientation: empowerment, hope and optimism, knowledge and life satisfaction.


CONCLUSIONS
We propose here an initial approach to measuring and conceptualizing recovery attitudes. We also suggest that the evidence-based practice (EBP) movement may help to identify interventions that promote the recovery orientation and help to advance recovery attitudes. We suggest that there is a bidirectional relationship between recovery attitudes and the positive clinical outcomes that are the goals of EBPs. Through the use of empirically derived conceptualizations of recovery, EBPs can provide a mechanism for identifying treatments that promote the recovery orientation. The conceptualization proposed here can, thus, serve as a tool to assess changes in recovery attitudes during participation in specific EBPs.
Resnick
Sandra G
SG
Northeast Program Evaluation Center and Yale University School of Medicine, NEPEC 182, 950 Campbell Avenue, West Haven, CT 06516, USA. Sandy.Resnick@Yale.edu
Fontana
Alan
A
Lehman
Anthony F
AF
Rosenheck
Robert A
RA
D000328:Adult; D036262:Empirical Research; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D020377:Self Efficacy