The DOI matches its Crossref record; 15 of the 16 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Perceptions, experiences and meanings of recovery in forensic psychiatric patients
Abstract
The ‘Recovery Approach’ is widely regarded as the guiding principle for mental health service delivery in the UK. However, it is not clear whether this approach has any relevance, or is applicable to mentally disordered offender patients, who are almost invariably detained against their will and whose capacity to exert choice and control over their treatment must therefore be severely restricted. This study set out to explore definitions, experiences, and perceptions of recovery in patients with severe mental illness, currently detained in medium secure psychiatric provision. Most patients defined recovery as getting rid of symptoms and feeling better about themselves. Medication and psychological work, relationships with staff and patients and being in a secure setting were all cited as being important in bringing about recovery. The stigma associated with being an offender, as well as having a serious mental illness, was perceived as a factor holding back recovery, particularly in relation to discharge and independent living in the community. Core recovery concepts of hope, self-acceptance, and autonomy are more problematic and appear to be less meaningful to individuals, who are detained for serious and violent offences. The recovery approach may need to be modified for use in forensic psychiatric services.
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“A distinctive understanding of recovery was presented by (75) who studied the views of forensic psychiatric patients (offenders with mental health problems). For the most part participants chose to rely on medication and medical guidance, rather than their own judgment and active participation: “Their lack of control was in most cases, simply stated as an incontrovertible fact.””
From Recovery from Severe Mental Health Problems: A Systematic Review of Service User and Informal Caregiver Perspectives (2021) · cites this paper as [75]
Citations
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Sutherland, S. (2018) · Staffordshire Online Repository (Staffordshire University)
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Metadata
- Authors
- Mezey, G. C., Kavuma, M., Turton, P., Demetriou, A., & Wright, C.
- Affiliations
- St George's, University of London (GB)
- Baystate Medical Center (US)
- Corresponding author
- Mezey, Gillian C.
- Venue
- The Journal of Forensic Psychiatry & Psychology
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2010-07-27
- Volume
- 21
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 683-696
- ISSN
- 1478-9949 (ISSN-L)
- 1478-9957
- OpenAlex
- W2084469966
- Cited by
- 122
- References
- 16
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 15 · 2020: 12 · 2019: 11 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 10 · 2015: 10 · 2014: 13 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 5
- FWCI
- 6.27
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Forensic Psychiatry and Psychology (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Mental Health and Patient Involvement
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychiatric care and mental health services
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychopathy, Forensic Psychiatry, Sexual Offending
- Keywords
- recovery approach, forensic psychiatric patients, mentally ill offenders, severe mental illness, stigma, hope, self-acceptance, autonomy, community discharge, independent living, patient perspectives, medication, staff-patient relationship
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