Initial outcomes of a mental illness self-management program based on wellness recovery action planning.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined changes in psychosocial outcomes among participants in an eight-week, peer-led, mental illness self-management intervention called Wellness Recovery Action Planning (WRAP).


METHODS
Eighty individuals with serious mental illness at five Ohio sites completed telephone interviews at baseline and one month after the intervention.


RESULTS
Paired t tests of pre- and postintervention scores revealed significant improvement in self-reported symptoms, recovery, hopefulness, self-advocacy, and physical health; empowerment decreased significantly and no significant changes were observed in social support. Those attending six or more sessions showed greater improvement than those attending fewer sessions.


CONCLUSIONS
These promising early results suggest that further research on this intervention is warranted. Confirmation of the efficacy and effectiveness of peer-led self-management has the potential to enhance self-determination and promote recovery for people with psychiatric disabilities.
Cook
Judith A
JA
Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1601 W. Taylor St., 4th Floor, M/C 912, Chicago, IL 60612, USA. cook@ripco.com
Copeland
Mary Ellen
ME
Hamilton
Marie M
MM
Jonikas
Jessica A
JA
Razzano
Lisa A
LA
Floyd
Carol B
CB
Hudson
Walter B
WB
Macfarlane
Rachel T
RT
Grey
Dennis D
DD
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009820:Ohio; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D010379:Peer Group; D012648:Self Care; D012944:Social Support; D055815:Young Adult