‘Being normal’ and self-identity: the experience of volunteering in individuals with severe mental disorders—a qualitative study

Abstract

ObjectiveThis study sought to explore the views and experiences of a group of people with severe mental disorders (SMDs) who performed volunteer services.DesignA qualitative phenomenological study.SettingCommunity public mental health services of the Community of Madrid and the province of Barcelona (Spain).ParticipantsPurposive sampling techniques were used between September 2016 and April 2017. The inclusion criteria were: individuals aged 18–65 years who participated in volunteer activities during the performance of this study, based on the regulations of volunteer services in Spain and the community of Madrid; a diagnosis of non-organic psychotic disorder (F20.x, F21, F22, F24, F25, F28, F29, F31.x, F32.3 and F33) according to the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision; an evolution of ≥2 years; and a moderate to severe dysfunction of global functioning with scores ≤70 in the Global Assessment of Functioning Scale. Ultimately, 23 people with SMD participated in the study with a mean age of 47 years (SD 8.23).MethodsData were collected through in-depth interviews and researcher field notes. A thematic analysis was performed following appropriate guidelines for qualitative research.ResultsTwo main themes emerged to describe the experience of participating in volunteer activities: (1) rebuilding self-identity, based on the participant’s experience of volunteering, of acquiring a new role and a new perceived identity that made them feel valued and respected; and (2) being a so-called normal person with a ‘normal’ life, based on recovering a sense of normality, unmarked by the illness, thanks to daily responsibilities and occupations.ConclusionsQualitative research offers insight into the way people with SMD experience volunteering and may help to improve understanding of the underlying motivations that drive these individuals. These findings may be applied to improve guidance during their process of recovery and subsequent inclusion into society.

Community‐based social interventions for people with severe mental illness: a systematic review and narrative synthesis of recent evidence

“…We identified 20 studies that addressed interventions targeting employment or voluntary work, of which 15 were quantitative [51][52][53][54][55][56][57][58][59][60][61][62][63][64][65] , one used mixed methods 66 and four were qualitative [67][68][69][70] .…”

“…The mean Kmet quality assessment score for quantitative papers was 82 and ranged from 100 51,54,61 to 50 (quantitative component of a mixed methods study) 66 . The mean quality assessment score for the qualitative papers was 66 and ranged from 100 68 to 35 66 (qualitative component of a mixed methods study).…”

Understanding Identity Changes in Psychosis: A Systematic Review and Narrative Synthesis

“…This means that negative beliefs about psychosis are likely to have existed before the onset of illness, but these only have an impact on an individual’s identity when they have received a diagnosis. 66 , 91 , 92 …”

Supported Employment, Participation at Work, and Peer Support: A Qualitative, Participatory Case Study Report of the Geesthacht Model

“…The value of work, activities and/ or employment for the recovery of people with mental health crises and psychosocial disabilities has been demonstrated in various contributions and reviews (21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29). Work is a means for social integration and participation (23)(24)(25), it may have empowering effects (22,26), and may contribute to developing a sense in one's existence (26,27). Thus, enabling people to retain or gain work, activities and/ or employment has profound effects on many areas of life.…”