AbstractsPsychology

Disability Identity Formation in People with Severe Mental Illness and Treatment Seeking and Compliance: A Participatory Action Research Study

by Kimberly M. Sommers




Institution: Wright State University Professional Psychology Program
Department: School of Professional Psychology
Degree: Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)
Year: 2014
Keywords: Psychology; severe mental illness; disability; disability identity; PAR; psychiatric disability; recovery; facilitators; treatment seeking; treatment compliance
Record ID: 2026119
Full text PDF: http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=wsupsych1373616415


Abstract

The study of facilitators of treatment seeking and compliance in people with severe mental illness represents a significant gap in the current literature. The present study, using a Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach, attempted to identify facilitators to treatment seeking and compliance through the lived experiences of people living with severe mental illness. Interviews were used to gather information about the experience of people with severe mental illness regarding disability identity development, recovery, interactions with treatment and treatment providers, the experience of being diagnosed with a severe mental illness, and the impact of psychiatric disability on family, friends, and functioning. Results reflected the importance of religion and spirituality, trust, coping and self-care, disability identity, and social and family support as key facilitators to treatment seeking and compliance in people with severe mental illness. Implications for the provision of services to people with severe mental illness and for future research are discussed.