Date of Award

2010

Document Type

Thesis

Publisher

Edith Cowan University

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science Honours

School

School of Psychology and Social Sciences

Faculty

Faculty of Computing, Health and Science

First Supervisor

Helen McDonald

Abstract

Objective: The primary objective of this review was to examine the Outcome Star and its utility as a tool for use in recovery oriented mental health services. The secondary objective was to examine similar instruments and their use within mental health services. Methods: Electronic databases Psycinfo, CINAHL, Medline and Proquest were searched. Manual searches of reference lists of retrieved articles and specific journals were undertaken to identify research relevant to describing the structure and properties of the Outcome Star, and its use in mental health settings. Results: A review of the literature revealed that there is a paucity of research examining both the psychometric properties and utility of the Outcome Star. As such a narrative review was possible. All research was limited to evidence level II and III. Preliminary findings were that the Outcome Star is effective in monitoring and facilitating change. In general researchers had obtained limited consumer feedback and input in relation to the use of the Outcome Star. As mental health services shift to provide recovery orientated practice, there is a need for outcome measures and assessment tools which support a recovery focus. Conclusion: The Outcome Star possesses many of the aspects of recovery model: empowering clients to make change, seek supportive environments, promote inclusion, meaning and importance in relationships. With a stronger evidence base, it is possible that the Outcome Star will become adopted by many recovery orientated mental health services. Objective: The objective of the present study was to investigate if the Outcome Star is an effective tool to record recovery related changes associated with individuals who live with a mental illness. A secondary objective was to gain insight into consumer's experiences and attitudes in relation to the Outcome Star. Methods: This research study was conducted using a mixed methods design, and data was collected using a sequential exploratory design. Initially a pre-test post-test design was used with 4 participants with mental illness to examine change in Outcome Star scores following completion of the Modified Recovery Workbook Program. Qualitative data was obtained by means of a semi-structured interview following completion of the intervention. Quantitative data was analysed using the Wilcoxon Signed-Ranks Test and qualitative data was analysed using a thematic framework and constant comparative approach. Results: Participants reported no statistically significant difference between initial and follow-up scores. Despite the absence of a statistical difference the sum of the positive ranks were higher than the sum of the negative ranks. Across each of the ten domains of the Outcome Star mixed results were documented, some domains had no change, while others had mixed results and one saw positive change across all participants. Data analysis of interviews revealed that participants found the overall experience of using the Outcome Star to be a positive one. They found it simple and easy to understand, liked its completeness and identified many ways in which it can be used to assist them. No areas for improvement or amendment were identified by respondents. Conclusions: This research provided valuable insights into the consumers' experience and attitudes in relation to the Outcome Star. Although there was no statistical difference in Outcome Star scores following the Modified Recovery Workbook Program, three of the four participants saw improvements in their overall scores. Results from this study were limited by the small sample size. Future research using larger sample sizes and across a variety of services would provide a stronger evidence base for the Outcome Star.

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