Mental Health Recovery Narratives and Their Impact on Recipients: Systematic Review and Narrative Synthesis

Rennick-Egglestone, Stefan; Morgan, Kate; Llewellyn-Beardsley, Joy; Ramsay, Amy; Mcgranahan, Rose; Gillard, Steve; Hui, Ada; Ng, Fiona; Schneider, Justine; Booth, Susie; Pinfold, Vanessa; Davidson, Larry; Franklin, Donna; Bradstreet, Simon; Arbour, Simone; Slade, Mike

Abstract

Objective. Mental health recovery narratives are often shared in peer support work and anti-stigma campaigns. Internet technology provides access to an almost unlimited number of narratives, and yet little is known about how they impact on recipients. The aim of this study was to develop a conceptual framework characterising the impact of recovery narratives on recipients.
Method. A systematic review of evidence about the impact of mental health recovery narratives was conducted. Searches used electronic databases (n=9), reference tracking, hand-searching of selected journals (n=2), grey literature searching and expert consultation (n=7). A conceptual framework was generated through a thematic analysis of included papers, augmented by consultation with a Lived Experience Advisory Panel.
Results. 8,137 articles were screened. Five papers were included. Forms of impact were: Connectedness; Understanding of recovery; Reduction in stigma; Validation of personal experience; Affective responses. Behavioural responses. Impact is moderated by characteristics of the recipient, context and narrative. Increases in eating disorder behaviours was identified as a harmful response specific to recipients with eating disorders.
Conclusions. Mental health recovery narratives can promote recovery. Recovery narratives might be useful for clients with limited access to peers, and in on-line interventions targeted at reducing social isolation in rural or remote locations, but support is needed for the processing of the strong emotions which can arise. Caution is needed for use with specific clinical populations.

Citation

Rennick-Egglestone, S., Morgan, K., Llewellyn-Beardsley, J., Ramsay, A., Mcgranahan, R., Gillard, S., …Slade, M. (2019). Mental Health Recovery Narratives and Their Impact on Recipients: Systematic Review and Narrative Synthesis. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry / Revue Canadienene de Psychiatrie, 64(10), 669-679. https://doi.org/10.1177/0706743719846108

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 1, 2019
• Online Publication Date: May 2, 2019
• Publication Date: Oct 1, 2019
• Deposit Date: Apr 3, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 3, 2019
• Journal: The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry
• Print ISSN: 0706-7437
• Electronic ISSN: 1497-0015
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 64
• Issue: 10
• Pages: 669-679
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0706743719846108
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1734704
• Publisher URL: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0706743719846108
• Contract Date: Apr 3, 2019