The recovery approach in mental health services V.1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The recovery approach in mental health services: history and current practice
IRAS ID
230786
Contact name
Rachel Waters
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 11 months, 29 days
Research summary
This study is a PhD project focussing on the recovery approach which has become central to mental health policy in Wales and the western world. The recovery approach focuses on recovery of a meaningful, satisfying life and the regaining of control over life and illness, with or without ongoing symptoms of mental distress. Mental health services are expected to support recovery through working holistically, recognising service user expertise and increasing service user control. Despite the policy commitment, recovery is a contested concept, with confusion about how it should be practiced and measured. Research in Wales and internationally suggests that mental health practitioners struggle to practice recovery in a complex context of conflicting policy and agendas.
This study will investigate the conditions of possibility for the development of networks of recovery in the UK, and will explore current practices of recovery in mental health services in South Wales.
An historical study will explore the development of version of recovery in Wales. Following this, an ethnography will investigate the practice of these versions of recovery through observation of real-life interactions between service users and/or staff in three contrasting mental health services in South Wales, along with document analysis and interviews. A qualitative thematic analysis of the different data sources will allow an in-depth exploration of situated practice alongside consideration of the way in which participants account for their practices and experiences to the researcher and in their service documentation
The study will provide new knowledge about current practices of recovery drawing on multiple data sources from multiple settings informed by historical study. The findings will be used to inform policy development and practice in mental health services.REC name
Wales REC 5
REC reference
17/WA/0250
Date of REC Opinion
18 Aug 2017
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion