Development of an Intervention Aimed at Increasing Awareness and Acknowledgement of Victimisation and Its Consequences Among People with Severe Mental Illness

Abstract

Individuals with severe mental illness have a significant risk of (anticipated) discrimination and (criminal) victimisation, which is not structurally and systematically addressed by mental health practitioners. The aim of this study was to develop and pilot an intervention which supports professionals to address victimisation and its consequences, in order to reinforce safe social participation and improve recovery. Following the rehabilitation and positive risk management literature, in addition to current practice, intervention components were developed in two focus groups and four subsequent expert meetings. The intervention was piloted in two outpatient teams before being finalised. The Victoria intervention includes positive risk management, focusing on clients’ narratives and strengths, and awareness of unsafe (home) environments: it comprises four steps: exploring issues with social participation, analysing victimisation experiences, clarifying the context of these experiences, and determining future steps, including victimisation-sensitive rehabilitation planning and optional trauma treatment. Future research should further test this intervention.

Intervention to prevent and manage the effects of victimization related to social participation for people with severe mental illness: Results from a cluster randomized controlled trial.

“…The resulting intervention was previously piloted in two teams, which indicated good feasibility. The development process was published elsewhere (Albers et al, 2021).…”

Occupational Therapy in Severe Mental Disorder—A Self-Controlled Quasi-Experimental Study

“…In this regard, when conducting the evaluations, it was observed that certain patients were unable to perceive their current situation when they were admitted. However, more time spent in the unit, together with psychopharmacological treatment and establishing a socio-occupational routine [ 20 ], allowed the patients to acquire a greater awareness of their situation. Therefore, the individuals may have acquired a capacity of insight [ 21 ], allowing them to obtain awareness of their current situation [ 22 ].…”

Addressing victimization to enable societal participation in flexible assertive community treatment: A process evaluation of the implementation of a new intervention

“…It supports professionals in starting and structuring conversations with their clients regarding their experience of victimization and how it impacts their societal participation. The intervention comprises four steps: exploration, analysis, clarifying the context, and future strategies ( 15 ). The first step involves exploring the client’s societal participation and their satisfaction with it.…”

“…The interviews with both the professionals and clients were led by an interview guide. Topics were based on the intervention components ( 15 ) and a framework for process evaluations for cluster RCTs ( 25 ). Since we wanted to elicit specific information from each of the groups, different interview guides were developed for each group.…”

“…While evidence exists that understanding and addressing why a client is demoralized by previous victimization experiences are beneficial for rehabilitation and recovery ( 10 – 14 ), effective tools to recognize and address victimization experiences, including (anticipated) stigmatization and discrimination, are lacking. We developed and tested the Victoria intervention, a four-step intervention that aims to increase safe societal participation by increasing awareness and the acknowledgment of victimization ( 15 ). The effect study was published in a previous article ( 16 ).…”