Perceived Control among People with Severe Mental Illness: A Comparative Study

Christopher Patterson; Lorna Moxham; Ellie Taylor; Susan Sumskis; Dana Perlman; Renee Brighton; Tim Heffernan; Emily Keough

doi:10.1016/j.apnu.2016.04.002

Perceived Control among People with Severe Mental Illness: A Comparative Study

Arch Psychiatr Nurs. 2016 Oct;30(5):563-7. doi: 10.1016/j.apnu.2016.04.002. Epub 2016 Apr 6.

Authors

Christopher Patterson¹, Lorna Moxham², Ellie Taylor³, Susan Sumskis⁴, Dana Perlman⁵, Renee Brighton⁶, Tim Heffernan⁷, Emily Keough⁸

Affiliations

¹ School of Nursing, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: cpatters@uow.edu.au.
² School of Nursing, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: lmoxham@uow.edu.au.
³ Global Challenges Program, University of Wollongong, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: elliejo@uow.edu.au.
⁴ School of Nursing, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: sliersch@uow.edu.au.
⁵ School of Education, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Wollongong, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: dperlman@uow.edu.au.
⁶ School of Nursing, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: reneeb@uow.edu.au.
⁷ Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District, Mental Health Services. Electronic address: tim.heffernan@sesiahs.health.nsw.gov.au.
⁸ School of Nursing, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: eck978@uowmail.edu.au.

PMID: 27654238
DOI: 10.1016/j.apnu.2016.04.002

Abstract

Background: Given the importance of perceived control to mental health and recovery, research is needed to determine strategies to increase perceived control for people with a mental illness.

Aim: Investigate the implications of a therapeutic recreation program on the perceived control of people with a mental illness.

Method: Participants of an intervention group (n=27) and comparison group (n=18) completed the Perceived Control Across Domains Scale at three time intervals. Subscale and total scores were analysed.

Results and discussion: Significant variation occurred in the perceived control areas of substance use, personal cognition and personal empowerment.

Implications: A unique nurse led therapeutic recreation initiative, such as Recovery Camp, can improve and maintain facets of perceived control among people with mental illness.

Publication types

Comparative Study

MeSH terms

Cognition
Humans
Internal-External Control*
Mental Disorders / psychology
Mental Disorders / therapy*
Nurse's Role / psychology
Power, Psychological
Program Evaluation
Recreation Therapy / methods*
Substance-Related Disorders
Surveys and Questionnaires