What Mechanisms of the Helping Relationship Promote Personal Recovery? A Critical Realist Qualitative Research

AbstractThe helping relationship is central in mental health interventions and a good relationship is instrumental in achieving numerous outcomes, including personal recovery. However, scant research has been conducted on the mechanisms of the helping relationship that promote mental health recovery. A study was undertaken to describe these mechanisms through the lens of critical realism by crossing the views of persons in recovery with those of their service professionals. In a cross-sectional qualitative study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 persons in recovery and 15 professionals providing them with health and social services in private practice or the public or community sectors. Thematic analysis was used to identify and describe different interpersonal mechanisms and their interconnections. Seven mechanisms of the helping relationship that promote recovery were identified: presence, trust, communication, emotional support, problem-focused support, influence, and transcending the professional role. Agreement was explored between the people in recovery and their professionals on 12 social support functions. Their views coincided on most, except reciprocity and the power balance in the relationship. Some themes run counter to the traditional role of the professional and highlight both the balance that professionals must strike between maintaining a professional distance and disclosing parts of their personal life and on the role of influence and recipro...
Source: Journal of Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Mental Health - Category: Psychiatry Source Type: research