Moving forward: negotiating self and external circumstances in recovery.
This article presents a framework for understanding the concept of recovery from serious mental illnesses and other life struggles. The framework is based on findings from a longitudinal, qualitative study that involved in-depth interviews with 28 people who experienced serious mental health challenges. The purpose of this article is to clarify the concept of recovery by presenting a grounded theory analysis of the components of recovery. The framework recognizes the experiences of struggle constructed through the words of study participants and captures four main components of recovery: a) a drive to move forward, b) a spiral of positive and negative changes, c) the context of recovery, and d) a dialectical process of ongoing negotiation between self and external circumstances.
Ochocka
Joanna
J
Centre for Research and Education in Human Services, Ontario, Canada. joanna@crehs.on.ca
Nelson
Geoff
G
Janzen
Rich
R
D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D009042:Motivation; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012649:Self Concept; D012919:Social Behavior