A survey of clinical psychologists' views regarding service user involvement in mental health services

Abstract

Background: The current study was concerned with the issue of service user involvement in the planning and running of mental health services within the UK.

User and Carer Involvement in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services: A Norwegian Staff Perspective

“…The original CPQ consists of 20 items with 14 items referring to 'Yes', 'No', or 'Don't know' response categories; 4 referring to a 5-point Likert type scale; and 2 items provide 6 or 8 specific options (Soffe et al 2004;Kent and Read 1998). ''In order to obtain information on consumer involvement at all levels of service delivery items were designed to cover treatment, evaluation, planning, and management.…”

“…Explore Norwegian CAMHS staff attitudes towards user involvement (mandated by the government's strategic plan for the development of Norwegian CAMHS.) This follows from the suggestion of Soffe et al (2004) and Kent and Read (1998) who found a dearth of research on mental health professionals' attitudes. This lack of research is particularly true in the CAMHS setting where no data is available.…”

“…Investigate relationships between staff attitudes towards user involvement in CAMHS and selected professional and work related background factors. c. Compare the findings with results from investigations in New Zealand (Kent and Read 1998) and the UK in adult mental health service staff (Soffe et al 2004). A detailed literature search did not yield any investigation of the Consumer Participation Questionnaire (CPQ) or any other measurement of staff attitudes in CAMHS (Kent and Read 1998) or by any other measurement.…”

“…The active and direct involvement of users in their own treatment increases the feeling of personal responsibility for changes in the course of treatment and can lead to better therapeutic outcomes including increased self-esteem and coping potential (Delsignore et al 2008;Kent andRead 1998, citing Farina andFisher 1982;Garber and Seligman 1980;Greenfield et al 1985;Schwarzer 1992;Nelson and Borkovec 1989;Lefley 1990;Soffe et al 2004). Sometimes just the opportunity to talk, combined with the experience of being heard, can be a relief for users (Lewis 2004).…”

“…For example, some users and carers have no interest in being involved and feel a sense of inadequacy regarding the possibility of involvement, whilst many others do not perceive themselves as being asked to become involved (Kent and Read 1998;Soffe et al 2004). Moreover, both staff and users have expressed concerns that users lack the necessary ability and experience to participate effectively and that the burden of involvement and the related role strain could be too stressful for users (Simpson and House 2003).…”