Connectedness in Recovery Narratives of Persons Labeled Not Criminally Responsible: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Objective

Connectedness is placed at the heart of the recovery process in mental health care. However, in regard to persons labeled not criminally responsible (NCR), considerations of recovery and connectedness remain in the background. The aim of this study is to understand and explore how individuals labeled not criminally responsible experience connectedness.

Research method

Sixty-seven in-depth interviews were examined and thematically analyzed.

Results

Interviews revealed emotional, functional and personal connectedness as categories of connectedness, each with different qualitative determinants.

Conclusion

This study shows that connectedness should be considered as an essential ingredient of the recovery process by practitioners as well as policy makers. We recommend a shift from an individualistic, punitive approach toward a recovery-supportive rhetoric and more ‘shared decision making’ between service users and providers at all levels.

Keywords:

• Connectedness
• recovery
• not criminally responsible
• qualitative research

Conflict of interest

The authors have no conflicts of interest to report.

Notes

1 Citations are a translation of the Dutch transcript. Participants are assigned a number to guarantee anonymity and still be be able to identify transcripts and other information of the individuals. Security level and treatment facility are mentioned to contextualise the quote.