title: The reconstruction of narrative identity during mental health recovery: a complex adaptive systems perspective.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  1) to understand the reconstruction of narrative identity during mental health recovery using a complex adaptive systems perspective, 2) to address the need for alternative approaches that embrace the complexities of health care.
  
  
  METHODS
  A narrative review of published literature was conducted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A complex adaptive systems perspective offers a framework and language that can assist individuals to make sense of their experiences and reconstruct their narratives during an often erratic and uncertain life transition. It is a novel research direction focused on a critical area of recovery and addresses the need for alternative approaches that embrace the complexities of health care.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A complexity research approach to narrative identity reconstruction is valuable. It is an accessible model for addressing the complexities of recovery and may underpin the development of simple, practical recovery coaching tools.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 1500, Australia. djk712@uowmail.edu.au
authors.forename: Douglas J R
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Kerr
authors.forename: Trevor P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Crowe
authors.forename: Lindsay G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Oades
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008960:Models, Psychological; D033262:Narration; D012649:Self Concept