title: Participants' Assessment of the Impact of Behavioral Health Self-Direction on Recovery.
abstract: Self-direction involves managing a flexible budget, selecting and purchasing services and supports to meet individual needs and preferences. An emerging practice in the behavioral health field, self-direction is part of a systemic shift toward person-centered approaches to service provision. To understand the relationship between recovery and self-direction, the authors conducted a content analysis of 30 in-depth interviews with individuals from two self-direction programs in one state. A positive relationship between self-direction and recovery was established. Meeting basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter are important first steps in the recovery process for self-directing participants. Recovery domains were dynamic and interrelated, with gains in independence, self-esteem, and self-confidence facilitating achievement of goals in other domains. To maximize the benefits of self-direction, program administrators may need to develop clearer program implementation standards and address poverty and limited access to appropriate behavioral health services and supports.
authors.affiliation: Human Services Research Institute, 2336 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02140, USA. bcroft@hsri.org.|Lurie Institute for Disability Policy, The Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, 415 South Street, MS 035, Waltham, MA, 02454, USA. bcroft@hsri.org.
authors.forename: Bevin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Croft
authors.affiliation: Lurie Institute for Disability Policy, The Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, 415 South Street, MS 035, Waltham, MA, 02454, USA.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Parish
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D018802:Patient-Centered Care / Q000379:methods; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D020377:Self Efficacy
keywords: Mental health and substance use recovery; Qualitative research; Self-determination; Self-directed care; Self-direction