PROJECT GOALS

This project aims to: Develop an instrument to measure recovery as defined in the Recovery Model, and in discussion with consumer groups.  a. validate the model in terms of consumer experiences, b. refine, modify and/or expand the model based on these experiences, c. develop a set of items that provide means to measure recovery based on this model; Develop a pilot instrument to be reviewed and tested by advisory and consumer groups; Validate the model and instrument with diverse populations; Examine the model to determine whether or how existing measures might relate to any part of the model; Publish articles about the development and use of the model, and personal accounts that illustrate its practical functions.   RESEARCH ACTIVITIES AND RESULTS Methods: Review of the literature indicates that instruments that attempt to measure recovery have been few in number, do not provide information about change over time, or about use of the instrument as part of the process of recovery. Many do not address regional geographic issues. A Recovery instrument to be developed will follow the organization of the concepts articulated in the Recovery Model. Items and scales for the proposed instrument will be generated through meetings with groups of consumers, based upon consumer experiences and review of other consumer-developed measures. Items newly developed or selected from other sources will be collated by the research team, reviewed by consumer groups and prepared as a pilot instrument. Attention will be paid to cultural sensitivity, language appropriateness, literacy and reading level. The developed pilot instrument will be tested and validated with a population of 100 or more consumers/ survivors to determine the psychometric properties of the instrument. A subset of this population will be asked to complete the instrument two days in succession in order to assess reliability. Validation will take place through the use of other published scales, soliciting comments from users of the instrument, and re-administration of the instrument after six months to test whether the instrument is sensitive to change over time. By this process, items that are not clear to consumers/ survivors, or lack consistency in measuring concepts, will be revised or deleted. Results: Consumers in various phases of recovery were recruited to collaborate in developing a measurement tool based upon the Recovery Advisory Group Recovery Model. The measure has been developed and reviewed. Dr. Ralph has edited a book on consumer-based models of recovery, with several chapters informed by Center research. SIGNIFICANCE OF FINDINGS/ POLICY IMPLICATIONS The meaning and measurement of the concept of recovery as applied to mental health outcomes are still not well agreed upon. This project involves the users of mental health services to define a model of recovery and to develop an instrument for its measurement, based on that specific model.     We plan to further test the instrument. An R-01 is in preparation to refine the model and validate the measure. Recovery Model as developed by the Recovery Advisory Group: This model defines and describes recovery through a number of stages: anguish awareness insight action plan determination to be well well-being/recovery The process through these stages is not linear but involves considerable back and forth movement among its various stages. The process is both internal and external. Dimensions of the internal aspects of recovery are cognitive, emotional, spiritual and physical. External dimensions consist of a person’s actions and reactions to outside influences, and interactions with people and situations. Dimensions describing the external aspects of recovery encompass activity, self-care, social relations and social support. Publications: Ralph R,O. & Kidder K. (2000). What is recovery? A compendium of recovery and recovery related instruments. Cambridge, MA. Human Services Research Institute. Ralph, RO., Risman J, Kidder K, Campbell J, Caras S, Dumont J, Fisher D, Rock Johnson J, Kaufmann C, Knight E, Loder A, Penny D, Townsend W, & Van Tosh L. (1999). Recovery advisory group recovery model, a work in progress. Washington, D. C., Presentation at the National Mental Health Statistics Conference. June, 1999. Ralph R. O. (2000). Recovery. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Skills (in press) Ralph, R.O. (2000) Review of recovery literature: A synthesis of a sample of recovery literature. Alexandria, VA: National Technical Assistance Center References: Examples of other measures reviewed include: The Well-Being Scale (Campbell and Schraiber, 1989) Empowerment Scale (Rogers, Chamberlin, et. al., 1997) Crisis Hostel Healing Scale (Dumont, 1998) Mental Health Confidence Scale (Carpinello et. al., 1995, 2000) Recovery items developed in Canton OH (Ralph, Lambric and Steele, 1996) Recovery Attitudes Scale (Borkin et. al, in press) Recovery Scale (Young and Ensing, 1998) Ralph R. The recovery advisory group recovery model. In Corrigan P, Ralph R (Eds.). Recovery and Mental Illness: Consumer Visions and Research Paradigms. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association Press. (In press). Ralph R, Corrigan P. Recovery as consumer vision and research paradigm. In Corrigan and Ralph R (Eds.). Recovery and Mental Illness: Consumer Visions and Research Paradigms. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association Press. (In press). Videka L, DeMasi M. The measuring of recovery in mental health services. In Ralph R (Ed.). Recovery in Mental Health Services. Washington, DC: APA Press (In press).   Updated: June 2003 Top