Part II: Living Life: A Meta-Synthesis Exploring Recovery as Processual Experiences

Abstract

Recovery, a prominent concern in mental health care worldwide, has been variously defined, requiring further clarification of the term as processual. Few studies have comprehensively addressed the nature of recovery processes. This study aims to explore the nature and characteristics of experiences of recovery as processual. The method used is a form of qualitative meta-synthesis that integrates the findings from 28 qualitative studies published during the past 15 years by one research group. Three meta-themes were developed: (a) recovery processes as step-wise, cyclical, and continuous, (b) recovery as everyday experiences, and (c) recovery as relational. These themes describe how recovery is intertwined with the way life in general unfolds in terms of human relationships, learning, coping, and ordinary everyday living. This meta-synthesis consolidates an understanding of recovery as fundamental processes of living in terms of being, doing, and accessing. These processes are contextualized in relation to mental health and/or substance abuse problems and highlight the need for support to facilitate the person’s access to necessary personal, social, and material resources to live an ordinary life in recovery.

Mutual learning: exploring collaboration, knowledge and roles in the development of recovery-oriented services. A hermeneutic-phenomenological study

“…Rather, these issues are interwoven, and thus affect and are affected by each other in centerless and non-linear processes (Doroud et al, 2018 ; Larsen et al, 2021 ). This study thus supports understandings of recovery as irreducibly relational and contextual processes (Price-Robertson et al, 2017 ; Sommer et al, 2021 ).…”

“…In the context of the current study, we perceive recovery as a concept that may challenge certain parts of professional knowledge and power as well as individualistic understandings of mental distress and substance abuse. This also involves understanding recovery as unique and dynamic interactions and processes between persons and contexts, and perceiving recovery and recovery orientation of services as part of the everyday life of individuals and local communities (Doroud et al, 2015 , 2018 ; Klevan et al, 2021 ; Reid et al, 2020 ; Sommer et al, 2021 ; Topor et al, 2011 ). Based on our positioning, we understand recovery as created and supported through shared processes, which can be developed and acted out through collaboration between service users and providers, affected by and affecting the diverse contexts that they are part of.…”

Part III: Recovery-Oriented Practices in Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services: A Meta-Synthesis

“…The method applied in this paper is a form of qualitative meta-synthesis, and the procedures described in the following are equal to the chosen method in the Part I and Part II papers [ 1 , 2 ]. ‘Qualitative meta-synthesis’ as a method refers to a variety of approaches and is often used in systematic review studies.…”

“…Therefore, three meta-syntheses were performed using these data. Of the set of 74 papers judged to be appropriate for inclusion in the three meta-syntheses planned, there were 28 papers in the areas of recovery as personal and/or contextual experiences and as processual, of which two papers of meta-syntheses were published [ 1 , 2 ], and 46 papers in the area of recovery-oriented services and practices. For the current meta-synthesis, we reviewed these 46 papers carefully and only retained 28 papers for the meta-synthesis.…”

“…The studies draw on subjective experiences of living and dealing with mental health and substance abuse problems, and experiences of family members and professionals. Paper 1 and Paper 2 presented the results of meta-syntheses regarding experiences of recovery and processes of recovery [ 1 , 2 ]. While Paper I and Paper 2 focused on exploring the nature and characteristics of experiences and processes of recovery, the meta-synthesis presented in this paper (Paper 3) focuses on exploring recovery-oriented practices in community mental health and substance abuse (MHSA) services.…”