title: Understanding Universal Elements in Mental Health Recovery: A Cross-Examination of Peer Providers and a Non-Clinical Sample.
abstract: In our study, we examined underlying human elements embedded in mental health recovery, by exploring shared positive change among peer providers with serious mental illnesses in recovery and a normative sample in spiritual growth following adversity. We conducted secondary analysis based on two independent qualitative study samples consisting of 31 American peer providers and 27 Israeli adults. We identified three shared and two distinct enablers of positive change: peer groups, significant mentor, self-transcendent experiences. Distinct enablers were having meaningful task/role (clinical sample) and deliberate choice to commit to change in face of uncertainty (non-clinical sample). Enablers facilitated positive processes of meaning making and enhancement of agency. Enablers provided opportunities to which the person responded and made use of--thus, enacting a positive reinforcement of change processes. The findings highlight the value of examining mental health recovery in a broad holistic perspective and have implications for practice.
authors: The Spitzer Department of Social Work, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel galia.moran@gmail.com.
authors: Galia
authors: G
authors: Moran
authors: Department of Counseling and Human Development, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel.
authors: Pninit
authors: P
authors: Russo-Netzer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007557:Israel; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D008603:Mental Health; D008605:Mental Health Services; D008875:Middle Aged; D010379:Peer Group; D011363:Professional Impairment / Q000523:psychology; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012069:Religion and Psychology; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D012944:Social Support
keywords: consumer providers; positive change and growth; qualitative study; recovery research; universal processes