Abstract
Research on engagement within community-based psychiatric services in the UK has mainly focussed on factors related to those
‘at risk’ of non-attendance or non-compliance, with the tacit assumption that those in regular attendance are largely content
and hence not a priority. The present study systematically explored the experiences and views of 25 people with severe and
enduring mental illness who had regularly attended out-patient settings for more than 5 years. Regular attendance at consultations
was not synonymous with satisfaction—in fact it masked varying levels of unmet needs and ‘de-humanisation’. In order to establish
and maintain non-coercive community services that prioritise ‘recovery’ above illness and ‘risk’ containment, it is essential
that the experiences of people in established and apparently ‘less troublesome’ therapeutic relationships are also taken into
account and integrated into policy and practice.
‘at risk’ of non-attendance or non-compliance, with the tacit assumption that those in regular attendance are largely content
and hence not a priority. The present study systematically explored the experiences and views of 25 people with severe and
enduring mental illness who had regularly attended out-patient settings for more than 5 years. Regular attendance at consultations
was not synonymous with satisfaction—in fact it masked varying levels of unmet needs and ‘de-humanisation’. In order to establish
and maintain non-coercive community services that prioritise ‘recovery’ above illness and ‘risk’ containment, it is essential
that the experiences of people in established and apparently ‘less troublesome’ therapeutic relationships are also taken into
account and integrated into policy and practice.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-10
- DOI 10.1007/s10597-011-9414-9
- Authors
- Mike Chase, Department of Psychology, University of Portsmouth, King Henry Building, King Henry I Street, Portsmouth, Hampshire, UK
- Andrea Malden, Department of Psychology, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
- Lynn Lansbury, Department of Psychology, University of Portsmouth, King Henry Building, King Henry I Street, Portsmouth, Hampshire, UK
- Justin Hansen, Department of Psychology, University of Portsmouth, King Henry Building, King Henry I Street, Portsmouth, Hampshire, UK
- Ana Ambrose, Department of Psychology, University of Portsmouth, King Henry Building, King Henry I Street, Portsmouth, Hampshire, UK
- Chris Thomas, Department of Psychology, University of Portsmouth, King Henry Building, King Henry I Street, Portsmouth, Hampshire, UK
- Clare Wilson, Department of Psychology, University of Portsmouth, King Henry Building, King Henry I Street, Portsmouth, Hampshire, UK
- Alan Costall, Department of Psychology, University of Portsmouth, King Henry Building, King Henry I Street, Portsmouth, Hampshire, UK
- Journal Community Mental Health Journal
- Online ISSN 1573-2789
- Print ISSN 0010-3853