Abstract
This study examined the effectiveness of the Building Recovery of Individual Dreams and Goals (BRIDGES) peer-led education
intervention in empowering mental health consumers to become better advocates for their own care. A total of 428 adults with
mental illness were randomly assigned to BRIDGES (intervention condition) or a services as usual wait list (control condition).
Interviews were conducted at enrollment, at the end of the intervention, and 6-months post-intervention. Random regression
results indicate that, compared to controls, BRIDGES participants experienced significant increases in overall empowerment,
empowerment-self-esteem, and self-advocacy-assertiveness, and maintained these improved outcomes over time. Peer-led education
interventions may provide participants with the information, skills and support they need to become more actively involved
in the treatment decision-making process.
intervention in empowering mental health consumers to become better advocates for their own care. A total of 428 adults with
mental illness were randomly assigned to BRIDGES (intervention condition) or a services as usual wait list (control condition).
Interviews were conducted at enrollment, at the end of the intervention, and 6-months post-intervention. Random regression
results indicate that, compared to controls, BRIDGES participants experienced significant increases in overall empowerment,
empowerment-self-esteem, and self-advocacy-assertiveness, and maintained these improved outcomes over time. Peer-led education
interventions may provide participants with the information, skills and support they need to become more actively involved
in the treatment decision-making process.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-11
- DOI 10.1007/s10597-012-9507-0
- Authors
- Susan A. Pickett, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1601 W. Taylor Street, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
- Sita M. Diehl, National Alliance on Mental Illness, Arlington, VA, USA
- Pamela J. Steigman, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1601 W. Taylor Street, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
- Joy D. Prater, Tennessee Mental Health Consumers Association, Nashville, TN, USA
- Anthony Fox, Tennessee Mental Health Consumers Association, Nashville, TN, USA
- Patricia Shipley, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1601 W. Taylor Street, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
- Dennis D. Grey, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1601 W. Taylor Street, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
- Judith A. Cook, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1601 W. Taylor Street, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
- Journal Community Mental Health Journal
- Online ISSN 1573-2789
- Print ISSN 0010-3853