title: Improving propensity for patient self-advocacy through wellness recovery action planning: results of a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: A fundamental aspect of successful illness self-management for people with serious mental illnesses is the ability to advocate for themselves in health and rehabilitation settings. This study reports findings from a randomized controlled trial comparing propensity for patient self-advocacy among those who received a peer-led mental illness self-management intervention called Wellness Recovery Action Planning (WRAP) and those who received usual care. Outcomes were self-reported engagement in self-advocacy with service providers, and the relationship between patient self-advocacy and other key recovery outcomes. In a multivariable analysis, at immediate post-intervention and 6-month follow-up, WRAP participants were significantly more likely than controls to report engaging in self-advocacy with their service providers. Higher self-advocacy also was associated with greater hopefulness, better environmental quality of life, and fewer psychiatric symptoms among the intervention group. These findings provide additional support for the positive impact of peer-led illness self-management on mental health recovery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1601 West Taylor Street, 4th Floor, M/C 912, Chicago, IL 60612, USA. jonikas@psych.uic.edu
authors.forename: Jessica A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Jonikas
authors.forename: Dennis D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Grey
authors.forename: Mary Ellen
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Copeland
authors.forename: Lisa A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Razzano
authors.forename: Marie M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Hamilton
authors.forename: Carol Bailey
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Floyd
authors.forename: Walter B
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Hudson
authors.forename: Judith A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Cook
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010379:Peer Group; D012648:Self Care; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012657:Self-Help Groups