Factors Enhancing Recovery
A randomized clinical trial of peer support services
E. Sally Rogers, Sc.D.
Project Director
erogers@bu.edu | see profile
Overview
Peer and mutual support programs have a long history in the treatment of substance use disorders and more recently have been developed by and for individuals with psychiatric disabilities. Results of nonrandomized studies suggest that participation in peer support results in decreased psychiatric symptoms and hospitalizations, larger social support networks, enhanced self-esteem and social functioning, and improved well-being. However, these conclusions are based largely on uncontrolled or demonstration studies of peer support.
The purpose of this project is to overcome these lack of data and to 1) conduct a randomized clinical trial to examine the effectiveness of a peer support intervention with individuals who have psychiatric disabilities and are undergoing a short-term civil commitment, in terms of recovery and community integration; 2) to examine, from the point of view of the recipients, if and how peer support is helpful in promoting recovery and community functioning; 3) to examine the effects of the peer support intervention on mental health service utilization; and 4) to finalize manuals for training consumers to provide peer support.
A study evaluating the effectiveness of a structured psycho-educational recovery intervention with English speaking and Latino samples
Marsha Langer Ellison, Ph.D.
Project Director
ellison2@bu.edu | see profile
Overview
This project will test the efficacy of an intervention designed to foster and enhance the recovery of adults with psychiatric disabilities. The purpose of this project is to conduct research on factors that enhance recovery, including model interventions that are culturally competent. A psycho-educational approach, having recovery as its specific outcome, was designed at the Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation over a decade ago with support from the NIDRR. While this Recovery Education Program (Spaniol, Koehler & Hutchinson, 1994) and related materials have been used and disseminated widely, it has yet to undergo a rigorous test to supply evidence as to its efficacy.
This project will undertake a randomized trial of this intervention at three rehabilitation and mental health sites using instruments that capture hypothesized components of recovery. In addition, the interventional manual has been modified to include relevant cultural values and to meet the diverse needs of Latinos. The Recovery Workbook was re-titled Recuperando La Esperanza (RLE) (Restrepo-Toro, Spaniol, Koehler, & Hutchinson, 1996) and has been piloted and tested. The cultural applicability, feasibility, and effectiveness of the RLE for individuals of Latino descent will be tested at two sites in Massachusetts.
A mixed methods study designed to reduce system fragmentation and promote health access and integration for persons with serious mental illness
E. Sally Rogers, Sc.D.
Project Director
erogers@bu.edu | see profile
Overview
Numerous studies exist that document the elevated rates of physical co-morbidities that individuals with serious mental illness experience and the effect of these co-morbidities on mortality and well-being. These conditions include an increased risk and incidence of diabetes, cardio-vascular diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, obesity, and tobacco related illnesses, among others. Ultimately, these medical conditions restrict the ability of individuals to attain full recovery and participation in their communities. Promoting access to primary care and integrating physical and mental health care for this population can reduce system fragmentation, promote continuity of care, increase the chances of receiving optimal primary health care, which in turn can reduce physical co-morbidities, early mortality, and increase opportunities for full recovery and community integration.
The goals of this project are to: 1) demonstrate the effectiveness of an individualized health access and integration intervention for individuals with severe mental illness, 2) to document the intervention components and develop an intervention manual, 3) to examine the effectiveness of this intervention on perceived health, health care utilization, and quality of primary health care using standardized measures; 4) to replicate the intervention with a racially and ethnically diverse population; and 5) to perform a cost benefit analysis of the outcomes. |
