Assessing Self-reported Recovery in a Community Psychiatry Setting

Abstract

Objective: This study examined demographic and diagnostic characteristics associated with self-reported recovery in patients with serious mental illness.

Methods: Patient demographics and diagnoses were obtained from a retrospective review of charts from 981 patients attending a community psychiatry outpatient program between January 2015 and December 2016. All patients completed the Recovery Assessment Scale-Revised (RAS-R), a self-report recovery questionnaire consisting of 5 subscales, approximately every 6 months. Generalized estimating equation models were used to assess change in RAS-R scores over time and to test for associations with demographic characteristics, clinical diagnoses, and appointment adherence.

Results: RAS-R scores increased among all demographic and diagnostic groups during the study period. A primary diagnosis of a psychotic disorder (including schizophrenia) was associated with higher 2-year average RAS-R total scores and scores on the Personal Confidence and Hope, Goal and Success Orientation, and Not Dominated by Symptoms subscales. African American race was associated with higher 2-year average scores on the Personal Confidence and Hope subscale. Increasing age was associated with higher total RAS-R scores and multiple subscale scores. No significant associations were found between sex or appointment adherence and RAS-R total scores or any of the subscale scores.

Conclusions: While certain demographic and diagnostic groups were associated with higher RAS-R scores, study results suggest that time in treatment is itself associated with higher self-reported recovery among all demographic groups. Age, race, and diagnosis were all associated with higher scores on the Personal Confidence and Hope subscale, highlighting the need for individualized treatment that takes multiple patient characteristics into account.