Social Integration for Psychiatrically Disabled Adults

Principal Investigator: Norma Ware, Ph.D. (Harvard University). Co-PI: Kim Hopper, Ph. D.

PROJECT GOALS

This study aims to develop an empirically based theory and conceptual model of social integration for adults who are psychiatrically disabled, as the basis for a program of practical action.

RESEARCH ACTIVITIES AND RESULTS

Method: Data will be collected through in-depth minimally structured interviews with: (a) persons actively moving toward social integration, (b) significant others, (c) consumer advocates, and (d) mental health service providers at seven clinical sites in Boston, New York City, and Southern Vermont. The research draws on several approaches: 1) an inductive method to develop taxonomies of the social processes of integration, 2) case studies to trace trajectories of social integration, 3) grounded theory methods to describe barriers to social integration from the perspectives of service providers and consumer advocates.

POLICY IMPLICATIONS

While many non-hospitalized individuals with psychiatric disabilities are isolated and socially invisible, some individuals do manage to achieve a substantial measure of social integration. This project seeks to understand both how they accomplish this and, specifically, how mental health services can best support and assist them. This project is an initial step toward the longer-term goal of designing and implementing a theoretically informed services intervention aimed at promoting social integration for this population.

PLANS

Revised proposal was approved and funding began in April 2003. Nominations have been solicited, provisional selections made, and initial rounds of pilot interviews began in May 2003. A draft paper setting forth a capabilities approach to recovery is under way.

Entered: July 17, 2003