title: Conceptual framework for personal recovery in mental health: systematic review and narrative synthesis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  No systematic review and narrative synthesis on personal recovery in mental illness has been undertaken.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To synthesise published descriptions and models of personal recovery into an empirically based conceptual framework.
  
  
  METHODS
  Systematic review and modified narrative synthesis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of 5208 papers that were identified and 366 that were reviewed, a total of 97 papers were included in this review. The emergent conceptual framework consists of: (a) 13 characteristics of the recovery journey; (b) five recovery processes comprising: connectedness; hope and optimism about the future; identity; meaning in life; and empowerment (giving the acronym CHIME); and (c) recovery stage descriptions which mapped onto the transtheoretical model of change. Studies that focused on recovery for individuals of Black and minority ethnic (BME) origin showed a greater emphasis on spirituality and stigma and also identified two additional themes: culturally specific facilitating factors and collectivist notions of recovery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The conceptual framework is a theoretically defensible and robust synthesis of people's experiences of recovery in mental illness. This provides an empirical basis for future recovery-oriented research and practice.
authors: King's College London, Health Service and Population Research Department (Box P029), Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AF, UK. mary.leamy@kcl.ac.uk
authors: Mary
authors: M
authors: Leamy
authors: Victoria
authors: V
authors: Bird
authors: Clair
authors: C
authors: Le Boutillier
authors: Julie
authors: J
authors: Williams
authors: Mike
authors: M
authors: Slade
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003210:Concept Formation; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008603:Mental Health; D008913:Minority Groups / Q000523:psychology; D008960:Models, Psychological; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012107:Research Design; D012649:Self Concept; D029181:Spirituality