Selective Provision of Illness Management and Recovery Modules

Abstract

This project assessed the effectiveness of group provision of four modules of illness management and recovery (IMR): recovery strategies, building social support, coping with problems and symptoms, and reducing relapse. Sixty-six adults (ages 20–68) diagnosed with severe mental illness recruited from consumer-run self-help centers in New Jersey participated in four IMR modules over 16 weekly sessions. The data from 36 of those individuals who attended five or more IMR sessions were used in this analysis. Presenters (six mental health professionals and three peer providers) who were closely matched in age, education, and experience were trained to cofacilitate weekly groups using the selected IMR modules. Assessment included self-reports and interviews (IMR Rating Scale, symptoms, two measures of social support, and two measures of coping skills). IMR participants showed improvement compared with a wait list control on the IMR Rating Scale, while the wait list control group showed improvement compared with IMR participants on the Norbeck Social Support Questionnaire. Overall, participants showed improvement on the IMR Rating Scale, the Perceived Social Support scale, and the Brief Symptom Inventory. Selected IMR modules provided in a group setting can foster positive change for participants.

Keywords:

• Group format
• IMR modules
• Illness management and recovery

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by a grant from the Foundation of UMDNJ.

Notes

*One participant did not know his/her highest grade of education.

*IMR n = 29; control n = 15.