Date of Award
2009
Publication Type
Master Thesis
Degree Name
M.S.W.
Department
Social Work
Keywords
Health and environmental sciences, Social sciences, Psychology
Supervisor
Jill Grant
Rights
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to explore what recovery means to people who have had personal experiences with mental illness. A qualitative design using exploratory and descriptive approaches was used. Two focus groups consisting of seventeen participants were asked questions about their recovery process. The data were categorized and themes emerged from the analysis. This thesis will discuss the four themes that emerged: recovery means stability and growth in a meaningful way; recovery includes a process of self-actualization supported by both natural and professional supports; barriers to recovery; and, facing barriers using steps towards recovery. The findings elaborate on what stability and growth mean to people with a mental illness, the barriers they face, and the steps they believe are necessary to live a meaningful life. This study also discusses the implications for social work practice.
Recommended Citation
Laforge, Jean, "Recovery from mental illness – The experiential perspective" (2009). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 8227.
https://scholar.uwindsor.ca/etd/8227