title: The process of recovery of people with mental illness: the perspectives of patients, family members and care providers: part 1.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It is a qualitative design study that examines points of divergence and convergence in the perspectives on recovery of 36 participants or 12 triads. Each triad comprising a patient, a family member/friend, a care provider and documents the procedural, analytic of triangulating perspectives as a means of understanding the recovery process which is illustrated by four case studies. Variations are considered as they relate to individual characteristics, type of participant (patient, family, member/friend and care provider), and mental illness. This paper which is part of a larger study and is based on a qualitative research design documents the process of recovery of people with mental illness: Developing a Model of Recovery in Mental Health: A middle range theory.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected in field notes through semi-structured interviews based on three interview guides (one for patients, one for family members/friends, and one for caregivers). Cross analysis and triangulation methods were used to analyse the areas of convergence and divergence on the recovery process of all triads.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In general, with the 36 participants united in 12 triads, two themes emerge from the cross-analysis process or triangulation of data sources (12 triads analysis in 12 cases studies). Two themes emerge from the analysis process of the content of 36 interviews with participants: (1) Revealing dynamic context, situating patients in their dynamic context; and (2) Relationship issues in a recovery process, furthering our understanding of such issues. We provide four case studies examples (among 12 cases studies) to illustrate the variations in the way recovery is perceived, interpreted and expressed in relation to the different contexts of interaction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The perspectives of the three participants (patients, family members/friends and care providers) suggest that recovery depends on constructing meaning around mental illness experiences and that the process is based on each person's dynamic context (e.g., social network, relationship), life experiences and other social determinants (e.g., symptoms, environment). The findings of this study add to existing knowledge about the determinants of the recovery of persons suffering with a mental illness and significant other utilizing public mental health services in Montreal, Canada.
authors.affiliation: Research Centre of the University of Montreal Hospital Centre, Masson Building, 3850 Saint Urbain Street, Montreal, Quebec H2W 1T7, Canada. Sylvie.Noiseux.2@umontreal.ca
authors.forename: Sylvie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Noiseux
authors.forename: Denise
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tribble St-Cyr
authors.forename: Ellen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Corin
authors.forename: Pierre-Luc
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: St-Hilaire
authors.forename: Raymond
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Morissette
authors.forename: Claude
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Leclerc
authors.forename: Danielle
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fleury
authors.forename: Luc
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vigneault
authors.forename: Francine
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gagnier
mesh_terms: D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008605:Mental Health Services; D010361:Patients / Q000523:psychology*; D011792:Quebec