Family Group Conferencing as a catalyst for recovery and ownership in mental health
Document Type
Journal Article
Publication Title
Psychiatry
Medical Subject Headings
Adult; Community Mental Health Services; Family; Friends; Humans; Male; Mental Disorders; Middle Aged; Netherlands; Ownership; Qualitative Research; Social Support
ISSN
1943-281X
Volume
81
Issue
2
First Page
101
Last Page
115
PubMed ID
30199332
Publisher
Taylor and Francis
School
School of Nursing and Midwifery / Centre for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Services Research
RAS ID
27581
Grant Link
Funding information available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/00332747.2018.1492850
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Recovery is a journey not only of personal change but also of social reengagement. It underlines the essence of social environments that are supportive to the recovery of people with ongoing mental health issues. The process of recovery also affects other actors, and likewise these actors exert their influence on the recovery of their family member or friend.
OBJECTIVE: Since 2009, we have been studying whether the decision-making model called family group conferencing (FGC) helps mental health clients increase their self-reliance. The essence of FGC is that individuals who experience problems have the opportunity to develop a plan together with people from their social network. Clients in mental health have to deal with different forms of disempowerment, especially when they are threatened with compulsory measures. It is an aim to help them regain ownership over their problems as well as over the potential solutions.
METHOD: From 2011 to 2013, we evaluated 41 family group conferences that were organized for clients in a public mental health care setting in the north of the Netherlands. Each conference was analyzed in a qualitative case study framework.
RESULTS: This article highlights two case portraits. It gives insight into how ownership was restored and what this meant regarding clients' recovery process.
CONCLUSION: FGC seems a promising tool to shift the attention from disorders and inabilities to capacities and the rediscovery of social resources.
DOI
10.1080/00332747.2018.1492850
Access Rights
subscription content
Comments
de Jong, G., Meijer, E., & Schout, G. (2018). Family Group Conferencing as a catalyst for recovery and ownership in mental health. Psychiatry, 81(2), 101-115. Available here