Community involvement, planning and coping skills: pilot outcomes of a recreational-therapy intervention for adults with schizophrenia

Abstract

Purpose: The Independence through Community Access and Navigation (I-CAN) intervention was developed to increase community participation in adults with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD) through identification of interest-based recreation activities and supported participation. Method: Ten individuals consented to participate in a 10-week pilot intervention. Eight individuals participated in the intervention, during which time they worked with a recreational therapist to identify interest-based recreation activities, develop participation goals and coparticipate with the recreational therapist. At the end of the intervention, seven participants were involved in a semistructured interview to understand their perceptions of the intervention, including its outcomes and effectiveness. Therapists’ notes and transcripts from the semistructured interviews were used to understand clients’ perception of the intervention. Results: Thematic analyses of seven exit interviews suggested the primary perceived outcomes of the intervention included: increased community involvement; development of planning skills; and the development of coping skills. These were facilitated by the therapeutic relationship between the client and therapist. Conclusions: This project provides preliminary support for the I-CAN as a participant-centered method for individuals with SSD to develop skills in the community. Implications for practice and future research are presented.

Implications for Rehabilitation

• The Independence through Community Access and Navigation intervention uses community-based recreation to promote community participation through the development of competence, autonomy and relatedness.

• The promotion of independent community-based recreation participation through supported participation may increase planning abilities, coping skills and community participation.

• An interactive leadership style, where control is balanced between therapist and client, may help facilitate perceived competence and autonomy.

Keywords::

• Community participation
• recovery
• recreational therapy
• schizophrenia spectrum disorders

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Rachel Smith for her assistance with the facilitation of the Independence through Community Access and Navigation intervention.

Declaration of Interest: The authors report no conflict of interest.