Recovery Services and Outcomes in a State Psychiatric Hospital

Recovery has emerged as a focus of mental health rehabilitation in the past decade. Many have suggested that various domains of recovery-orientated services are integrated to an efficacious mental health care system. In this study we examined the association of domains of recovery-oriented services with recovery outcomes among inpatients in a state psychiatric hospital. A convenience sample of 36 hospital patients participated in a survey that included two standardized scales, with one measuring 6 domains of recovery-orientation of hospital-based services and one measuring 5 aspects of patients’ recovery outcomes. We used regression analysis to estimate the association between recovery-oriented services and recovery outcomes adjusting for gender, race, and education. Nearly 90% of patients had lengths of stay of more than 3 months. On average, patients reported receiving moderate levels of recovery-oriented services. Nevertheless those who reported receiving higher levels of recovery-oriented services also reported better recovery outcomes. Specifically three domains of recovery-oriented services, i.e., life goal vs. symptom management, individual tailored, and diversity of treatment options, are associated with better overall recovery and 3 specific aspects of recovery, namely willingness to ask for help, goal and success orientation, and reliance on others. The data from a small sample of patients at a state psychiatric hospital suggest that self-reported recovery-oriented services received are associated with better recovery outcomes. Future larger studies are warranted to confirm the study findings, and to examine whether a contemporary recovery-focused care model can facilitate even greater recovery outcomes.