Posttraumatic growth and recovery among a sample of Egyptian mental health service users: a phenomenological study

Abstract

Background Delivery of recovery-oriented mental health practice is fundamental to personal recovery. Yet, there is lack of service users’ accounts on what constitutes mental health recovery in Egypt. Objectives The aim of this study was to explore mental health recovery meaning informed by people with personal experience of recovery. Methods A phenomenological research design was used. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 17 adult community-dwelling individuals who identified as recovered/recovering from mental health issues. An inductive thematic analysis approach was used to analyses participants’ responses. Results Participants predominately reported personal and functional definitions of mental health recovery. Posttraumatic growth was the strongest theme comprising: relation to others, spirituality, new possibilities, identity & strengths, and appreciation of life. Themes of acceptance and forgiveness, functional and clinical recovery, and finding hope were also identified. Conclusions This is the first study to explore mental health recovery meaning among a sample of people with lived experience of mental health issues in Egypt. Findings suggest that developing and implementing psychosocial interventions to support posttraumatic growth among people with mental health issues is a priority.

Mental health recovery in a collectivist society: Saudi consumers, carers and nurses' shared perspectives

“…Consumers described constructing a meaningful life by engaging in recovery goals and adopting values. In our study, recovery values identified by consumers, such as hope, self‐acceptance, self‐awareness and determination, were found in other studies from collectivist societies (Ibrahim et al., 2022; Saavedra et al., 2022; Suryani et al., 2022; Tang, 2019b; Tuffour et al., 2019). Both consumers and nurses felt that values of self‐acceptance, motivation, self‐awareness and determination should be adopted in order for consumers to achieve their recovery goals.…”

“…Non‐Western collectivist societies value that cultural factors like spirituality, language, and social belonging as crucial in recovery. Spiritual beliefs and practices across various religions provide hope and comfort (Ibrahim et al., 2022; Suryani et al., 2022; Tuffour, 2020). Language barriers impact recovery, as seen in Chinese consumers in the United Kingdom (Tang, 2019a).…”

How clinicians can support posttraumatic growth following psychosis: a perspective piece

“…Over the past 10 years, an increasing number of studies have examined posttraumatic growth following psychosis. These studies have revealed that posttraumatic growth occurs at the individual level (e.g., living a life that is more congruent with one's values and passions); interpersonal level (e.g., becoming closer to loved ones) and spiritual/religious level (e.g., stronger belief in God) (Ibrahim et al 2022;Jordan et al 2018;Jordan et al 2019aJordan et al , 2019bSlade et al 2019b). These changes have been reported among people who have experienced psychosis themselves, as well as their families and friends (Jordan et al 2018;Thornhill et al 2022).…”